Smaller Plates

TimothyFish
TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Like everyone else, I had read that using smaller plates makes it easier to eat less, even if you know you are using a smaller plate for that purpose. I had no reason to doubt it, but experiencing it is interesting.

I didn't buy smaller plates because I wanted to try it, but I needed something that was microwave and dishwasher safe. The plates I bought have just enough room for two servings of vegetables and a small piece of meat. It really does make it seem like you are eating more.

Replies

  • tiptoethruthetulips
    tiptoethruthetulips Posts: 3,371 Member
    Eyes and brain have a big impact on what we see, think and believe.

    Thanks for sharing
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    edited May 2015
    Yes, i agree.
    When i first heard about it i was like "yeah, right".......but it does actually work!
    When i make my Boyfriends dinner, it's always served on a much bigger plate than mine and it feels like i have to pile on loads of food just so his plate doesn't look empty.
    Whereas my little plate has half as much food on it - but looks like theres loads.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Nope. I need bigger plates to fit all the veggies I'm eating, usually.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    What franci said, bugger plate for me to deal wth the veg. I just pick a plat according to the amount of food thats in my meal.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I've heard about this many times also. I usually disregard any tips or tricks because they usually are just nonsense. But out of curiosity, I may try to serve my son his dinner on a salad plate tonight instead of a dinner plate. (My salad plates match my dinner plates so he wouldn't notice the difference . It's the same plate, just smaller) I've been keeping an eye on his portions, as I don't feel right weighing and measuring a child's food but do want to keep a close eye on his portion sizes.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    I need a big plate for the big things I consume.
  • NoLimitFemme
    NoLimitFemme Posts: 118 Member
    Smaller plates to seem to make a big difference. I use a larger plate for my husband (he's a bodybuilder type weightgainer) and son. I then use a smaller plate for me and our daughter. It's perfect as someone stated before for a single serving of meat and 2 veggies/sides.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I actually used that in my late teens when I first counted calories...it is a mental game that holds true...but I think it's great for htose who might not be weighing etc...I didn't back then either and it made it easy to eat less. Don't forget to put your fork down between each bite and take 20mins to eat.
  • Wiseandcurious
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    Actually for me it's the opposite - I've tried both and prefer a bigger plate, then I load some salad on that too with my main course and it looks like the lot of food it actually is. Putting my food on smaller plates feels like deprivation, or eating a kid's portion.

    There are all sorts of psychological tricks, but honestly for feeling content with your food nothing beats eating things you actually love and at a smaller deficit.
  • BTClan
    BTClan Posts: 16 Member
    Unless I'm having salad I usually grab a smaller plate. Seems to work for me especially if I'm not having any veggies that meal.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    For dinner I either use a large plate, or fill a small one twice. It makes no difference. When I meal plan, I decide how much I'll be having for dinner, cook the amount I am going to eat, and eat that.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    For dinner I either use a large plate, or fill a small one twice. It makes no difference. When I meal plan, I decide how much I'll be having for dinner, cook the amount I am going to eat, and eat that.

    That's what I do as well now...couldn't be bothered with buying new dishes etc.
  • Lexicpt
    Lexicpt Posts: 209 Member
    Thanks for the tip. My eyes tend to be bigger than my stomach, so this would probably benefit me quite a bit.
  • benzieboxx
    benzieboxx Posts: 253 Member
    This is my favorite thing to do for dinner. My boyfriend has these large square dinner plates but I insist on using the smaller version of the same plate. It makes it look like I have so much more food on my plate, and because I split my calories to afford a larger dinner I feel super satisfied at the end of that day.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    ive always used smaller plates. personal preference.

    getting more food isn't hard (and my weight proved that). LOLOLOL
  • barryplumber
    barryplumber Posts: 401 Member
    Power of the mind really, if it works for ya do it every little bit helps
This discussion has been closed.