1. Drink more water
The most basic tip is to drink water before meals. Research shows that people will not only eat less, but also that a pint of water after half an hour speeds up the metabolism by 30%, so you burn more calories.
2. Eat more soup
It sounds contradictory to add an extra course, but before a meal eat a bowl of soup. Just like drinking water, this reduces the amount of calories you will eat in the main course. In a recent study, it was shown that eating a bowl of soup, of around 100 calories at the start of the meal, led to an average of 20% reduction in the calories consumed during the main course. The study participants were also left feeling fuller and less hungry than the control group who did not eat any soup.
3. Use a smaller plate
By having a plate that is 3/4 the size of the one you normally use, you will trick your mind into thinking that you are eating more than you actually are. This means that you will feel full faster because you see that you had a plateful of food but in reality, you have consumed less calories.
4. Leave leftovers on the table
If you are eating food like chicken wings or spare ribs, make sure that you don't clear away the bones until you are done eating. By having a visual cue as to how much you have eaten, your brain will unconsciously signal you to stop eating because of how much you have already consumed.
5. Provide contrast
6. Smell
The stronger the dish smells, the smaller the portion will be. Foods that had a stronger scent led to study participants taking 5-10% smaller portions than when the smell was not so pronounced. According to researchers, the stronger smell is linked with a more satisfied feeling.
To find out more about how to lose weight easily without being on a tough diet, click here.
The most basic tip is to drink water before meals. Research shows that people will not only eat less, but also that a pint of water after half an hour speeds up the metabolism by 30%, so you burn more calories.
2. Eat more soup
It sounds contradictory to add an extra course, but before a meal eat a bowl of soup. Just like drinking water, this reduces the amount of calories you will eat in the main course. In a recent study, it was shown that eating a bowl of soup, of around 100 calories at the start of the meal, led to an average of 20% reduction in the calories consumed during the main course. The study participants were also left feeling fuller and less hungry than the control group who did not eat any soup.
3. Use a smaller plate
By having a plate that is 3/4 the size of the one you normally use, you will trick your mind into thinking that you are eating more than you actually are. This means that you will feel full faster because you see that you had a plateful of food but in reality, you have consumed less calories.
4. Leave leftovers on the table
If you are eating food like chicken wings or spare ribs, make sure that you don't clear away the bones until you are done eating. By having a visual cue as to how much you have eaten, your brain will unconsciously signal you to stop eating because of how much you have already consumed.
5. Provide contrast
If there is a color contrast between the food and the plate that you are using, you will tend to eat less. In a study of volunteers, those who had a plate the same color as the food (white pasta on a white plate) tended to take on average 22% more food when compared to those who had contrasting colors (red pasta on white plates). The researchers are still at a loss as to why this is the case.
6. Smell
The stronger the dish smells, the smaller the portion will be. Foods that had a stronger scent led to study participants taking 5-10% smaller portions than when the smell was not so pronounced. According to researchers, the stronger smell is linked with a more satisfied feeling.
To find out more about how to lose weight easily without being on a tough diet, click here.
