Fairly recently I completed a PHX-HNL RT using ATA. The "meal" portions served on these flights were the smallest I've ever experienced. The entree was served in foil casserole dishes measuring about 2.5" X 4". The meat potion was about the quarter size of a Junior burger. Two small teaspoons of a mystery veggie was served on the side. A side salad was offered and four generous 1" x 1" lettuce leaves were topped off with shreaded carrots. Of course, service was presented on the smallest tray I've ever seen, specifically designed, I'm sure, to give one the impression of a "full & complete meal." A small sized bread roll was
took up one quarter of the tray. I'm supposing its function was to act as a "volume expander."

And so all of this got me to thinking...

Is there anything in the literature as it relates to the "minimum portion size" that it
takes to remove hunger pains? Surely the ailines have invested heavily in this research... ??? And, who offers the very smallest "full coach meal?"