Although the preconceived notion is to think in terms of reduced food portions on small plates when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, sometimes bigger really is better, especially when it comes to the of fork you choose to eat with.According to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, people who used an oversized fork to take bigger bites when eating out actually ate less than those who consumed their meal using a fork that was smaller than normal.
The findings of the analysis were recently published in the online edition of the Journal of ConsumerResearch.For the research team to arrive at their findings, it was a case of “buon appetito” and we’ll do the rest, with the help of a local Italian restaurant. Over a two-day period, during which two lunches and two dinners were served as part of the analysis, the researchers selected tables at random to receive either forks that were 20 percent larger than those normally used by the restaurant, or forks that were 20 percent smaller than were normally used.
Each plate of food served was weighed both prior to being carried to the table, and upon its return to the kitchen, which allowed the amount of food eaten by each person to be calculated. The surprising results revealed that those patrons who were given larger forks ate less overall, leaving more food on their plates by the end of their meal than did those using the smaller forks. This left University of Utah researchers Arul Mishra, Himanshu Mishra, and Tamara M. Masters with the task of explaining why those who received bigger bites of food actually consumed less than did those who ate smaller bites.Their conclusions?
First, the diners are visually aware of whether they are making progress in diminishing the amount of food seen on their plates in their effort to achieve satiation of their hunger. The use of a smaller fork gives the appearance that less progress has been made in achieving their goal, while the use of a larger fork provides for the appearance of a more adequate amount of food having been consumed from the plate.In addition, those who eat with smaller forks feel the need to further their efforts in achieving hunger satisfaction by eating more forkfuls of food, which results in their actual consumption of more than an adequate amount of food.
The findings of the analysis were recently published in the online edition of the Journal of ConsumerResearch.For the research team to arrive at their findings, it was a case of “buon appetito” and we’ll do the rest, with the help of a local Italian restaurant. Over a two-day period, during which two lunches and two dinners were served as part of the analysis, the researchers selected tables at random to receive either forks that were 20 percent larger than those normally used by the restaurant, or forks that were 20 percent smaller than were normally used.
Each plate of food served was weighed both prior to being carried to the table, and upon its return to the kitchen, which allowed the amount of food eaten by each person to be calculated. The surprising results revealed that those patrons who were given larger forks ate less overall, leaving more food on their plates by the end of their meal than did those using the smaller forks. This left University of Utah researchers Arul Mishra, Himanshu Mishra, and Tamara M. Masters with the task of explaining why those who received bigger bites of food actually consumed less than did those who ate smaller bites.Their conclusions?
First, the diners are visually aware of whether they are making progress in diminishing the amount of food seen on their plates in their effort to achieve satiation of their hunger. The use of a smaller fork gives the appearance that less progress has been made in achieving their goal, while the use of a larger fork provides for the appearance of a more adequate amount of food having been consumed from the plate.In addition, those who eat with smaller forks feel the need to further their efforts in achieving hunger satisfaction by eating more forkfuls of food, which results in their actual consumption of more than an adequate amount of food.
After reaching their conclusions, the research team tested them by varying the portions of food served to the restaurant patrons. They discovered that among diners who were served larger portions, those using smaller forks ate significantly more than those using larger forks. However, when served smaller portions, the of the fork used by the diners had no affect the amount of food they consumed.The study authors acknowledged that their findings only hold true for people who are eating out.
The results are not necessarily applicable to people eating at home because their goals for satisfying hunger may differ from those of restaurant patrons.The researchers also advised that to avoid overeating, people need to learn how to better recognize and understand their own personal hunger cues, and determine how much food they actually need to eat. Then, use your best judgment and buon appetito!
The results are not necessarily applicable to people eating at home because their goals for satisfying hunger may differ from those of restaurant patrons.The researchers also advised that to avoid overeating, people need to learn how to better recognize and understand their own personal hunger cues, and determine how much food they actually need to eat. Then, use your best judgment and buon appetito!
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