5. Never Leave Food Where You Can See It
Being within eyesight of a banquet of food makes you eat 15 percent more—regardless of whether you’re at home or a restaurant. Seeing it fills your thoughts with food. And watching people return to a buffet makes you think it’s more normal to go for seconds, thirds, and fourths. If you can, move food completely out of sight—you don’t want to catch the action in your peripheral vision either. At home, leave serving dishes on the counter instead of the table, and sit facing away from the spread.
6. Follow the Rule of Two
When dining out, select whatever reasonable main entree you want (plus included sides) and pair it with only two other things to eat and drink. So if a piece of bread and one glass of wine are your two preferred entree pals, skip appetizers and dessert. If you want the artichoke dip and tiramisu, avoid the bread basket and beverages other than water. On average, people who use the rule of two report eating about 25 percent less because it makes you rethink what you’re ordering or eating. And keep in mind: You’re more likely to order what you see first (it’s why some restaurants showcase certain items), so choose carefully.
