If, like me, your pants are a bit too snug after the season of indulgence, you may want to consider these weight loss insights and hacks from recent studies published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research.
- Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most mindful eater of them all?
Watching yourself eat may be just the thing to make you more conscious and objective about your calorie intake. Interestingly, in one study people's perception of the food they ate actually changed when there was a mirror hanging in front of them in the kitchen or dining room. Respondents actually perceived chocolate cake as less tasty than those who ate it without the mirror. It stands to reason but ugh, pass.
- Go small or go home
You know when you go to an upscale restaurant and your portion looks so lonely and forsaken in the middle of the plate? Well, the converse also applies. A large, fancy plate or bowl can make your adequate portion look skimpy, meaning you're more inclined to fill that empty space with food you don't need. Use a smaller plate and fill it - just don't give into the temptation to go for seconds.
- Choose your cutlery wisely
Eat with a fork, not a spoon. Researchers at the University of South Florida were all in favour of the fork, which makes perfect sense since you can only spear so much bite on a fork. But a spoon allows you to scoop up and 'shovel' so much more into your mouth. Taking smaller mouthfuls not only means fewer calories, it also means slower eating which is a sure recipe for weight loss.
Of course the only true equation for weight loss is healthy eating plus regular exercise. Still, having a few extra tricks up your sleeve can't hurt, right?
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