eating cues

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Your Fellow Diners' Size May Affect How Much You Eat

In one study, people who were in a buffet line served themselves a lot more of an unhealthful pasta dish if they were next to or behind a person perceived to be overweight. iStockphoto hide caption

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The Salt

Your Fellow Diners' Size May Affect How Much You Eat

October 2, 2014 • In one study, people who ate near a heavier dining companion served themselves lots more food. Researchers say a fellow diner's weight is just one of many subconscious cues influencing what we eat.

Deception Diet: How Optical Illusions Can Trick Your Appetite

The Delboeuf illusion makes one dot appear larger than the other. But they're the same size. Your brain is misled by comparing the dots to the surrounding circles. Washiucho/Wikimedia Commons hide caption

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Washiucho/Wikimedia Commons

The Salt

Deception Diet: How Optical Illusions Can Trick Your Appetite

January 28, 2012 • Everything from the size of your plate to the color of your food may be telling you to eat more than you actually need. The good news is you can use psychology to your advantage, if you learn a few tricks of the trade.