Research has found that people believe they have eaten more when using a large fork. Why is this so important?
Ever heard of the book Joy of Cooking? Well, as that joy has grown, so have the portion sizes. The 1936 edition had a recipe for chicken gumbo that listed 228 calories per serving. In the 2006 edition, this jumped to 576 calories per serving for that same recipe.
With statistics like these, we can use all the help we can get in understanding just how much we should actually clear that mountain of pasta. Choosing a bigger fork could mean you eat less during the time that it takes your brain to get the message that you are full. Because your brain uses visual cues to determine how full or hungry it is, when using a small fork, after each bite you think “that was such a tiny bit of food” v.s when you use a large fork, you can see a significant dent in your food after each forkful.
Two other tips to trick your brain into thinking you’re full:
Use a small plate. You’ll see it empty sooner, meaning your brain will believe you’re full sooner.
Eat slower. Since it takes about 15 to 20 minutes after the actual consumption of food for your brain to understand that you are full, pause between bites and savor the meal. Let your stomach catch up with your head.