We don't necessarily think about it when we focus on food, but the dishes we use have an important role to play in the amount of food we eat.
Since the 1960s, everything has increased in size, and tableware has been no exception. So much so that the surface area of our plates is now 36% larger ! This is enormous!
This phenomenon is no stranger to the increase in overweight and obesity... Multiple studies have been conducted and it has been clearly demonstrated that we eat 30 to 50% more when we are in front of a large plate (scary, isn't it?!), and all this regardless of our level of hunger or even the desire for the food we eat.
American researchers have conducted a study on how the size of a bowl can change the way children eat. The result is clear: to limit waste and overeating, it is better to use a small plate (or a small bowl, in short, small dishes...).
The way food is presented influences our appetite : the cutlery, the dishes, the colours... nothing should be left to chance.
Scientists at the Cornell University Eating Behaviour Laboratory conducted an experiment with 69 children in a kindergarten, offering the toddlers cereal in two types of bowls: large 500 ml or small 250 ml. After choosing their bowl, each child was given the amount of cereal they wanted. Those who chose the large bowls requested 87% more cereal than those who had small bowls, regardless of age, gender and BMI (Body Mass Index).
Isn't it amazing? I personally found all these studies fascinating.
Finally, using separate dishes for children can be a simple solution to help those who need to limit their calorie intake in a natural way. You should have thought of it!
A little optical illusion game, which plate do you think contains the most food?
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Thank you for this very interesting article.
It is incredible and yet so true!
I see this phenomenon every day in my patients and also the opposite in those who want to lose weight. It's hard to make them understand that they have to trust themselves to eat what they need (no more, no less). Not to mention some parents who force their children to finish their plate (otherwise no dessert) and grandmothers who encourage children to get more 🙂