Don't count on restaurant chefs to help your efforts to trim down, says a new study. They're not watching the calories for you.

A survey of 300 restaurant chefs around the country reveals that taste, looks and customer expectations are what matter when they determine portion size. Only one in six said the calorie content was very important and half said it didn't matter at all, according to an Associated Press report.

Chefs agreed that big servings encourage people to eat too much, but said it's up to the diner to decide how much to consume -- and how much to take in a doggie bag.

I, for one, have much difficulty with portion sizes in restaurants. If I don't eat all my food, I keep hearing my Mom's voice in my head telling me not to waste food. Thank God for doggie bags.

How much should you be eating? Get a portion primer and let me know how you cope with portion pressure.

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com