Hidden Persuaders: The Mindless Eating That Adds Pounds

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People seem to gain weight easily but have a hard time taking it off. Americans are continuing to get heavier, increasing the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and various other health conditions. Healthy eating can play an important role in helping you avoid excess weight. It can also increase the quality and length of your life. Interesting new research is revealing that part of the reason why it's so difficult to eat healthy is that "hidden persuaders" can lead you to eat more than you think you're eating.

Wise Choices Tips to Avoid Mindless Eating:

• Be aware of the size and shape of containers. It's the amount of food that counts, not what it looks like.

• Serve food on smaller plates and bowls. Empty plates and bowls cue some people to stop eating.

• Use nutrition labels, paying attention to the serving size listed. Consider the facts; don't guess at how many calories you're eating.

• Look past the packaging. A food's package or the language on a menu can lead you to actually like a food better, increasing your chance of overeating.

• Keep visual reminders of how much you're eating. Keep wrappers, empty containers, bones and other reminders of how much you've eaten nearby.

• Think about eating a healthier meal. Don't just focus on separate parts of the meal.

• Control your purchases. Don't let signs lead you to buy more than you need.

For more, please read the Weight Loss article.

Source: National Institutes of Health