Eating With Others by Dr. Oz

afwg1979

I found this article on Dr. Oz's website. This is one of the five habits which might be making you fat: EATING WITH OTHERS. I thought it would be a helpful reminder as we head into the very social atmosphere of the holidays. Habit Number Four is as follows:

Studies show that whenever you eat with other people, you lose track of how much you’re eating. For instance, if you eat with just one other person, you’re likely to eat about 35% more than you normally would. When you eat with four people, your consumption rate jumps to 75% more. And when eating with a group of seven or more, you eat about 96% more than if you were eating alone.

Important food for thought: The average person eats out with a group about three times a week. This means that if you’re not cautious, you can consume 72,000 extra calories over the course of a year, which translates into about 20 pounds of weight gain.

Break the Habit: Don't give up on your social life! Eating with others is not only part of life, but also has positive effects on your overall well-being. But remember: The healthy part revolves around the company, not the food. To avoid mindless overeating: Be mindful and don’t pace yourself with the fastest eater at the table. Instead, pace yourself with the slowest eater.

Also, try to be the last person to start eating.

Make arrangements to do other things with friends and family besides just eat. If your plans do involve eating, make sure to also include a physical activity like a walk afterward.

xLyric

I really, really disagree with most of that. Yes, if you eat out 3 times a week you're eating a lot more than you should, but who really does that? Like, actual restaurant eating out? I go out maybe once every couple of months, if that, and when that happens it doesn't matter how many people are there, 2 or 5 or 20, I'm eating the same amount. Yes, that amount is higher than a normal meal, but just because there are a lot of people doesn't mean I'm going to order more than one plate of food.

Studies show that whenever you eat with other people, you lose track of how much you’re eating. For instance, if you eat with just one other person, you’re likely to eat about 35% more than you normally would. When you eat with four people, your consumption rate jumps to 75% more. And when eating with a group of seven or more, you eat about 96% more than if you were eating alone.

I just really don't understand this bit. If I go out to eat, I order a plate of food. If I'm with one person, I order a plate of food. If I'm with 5 people, I order a plate of food. If I'm with 20 people, God forbid, I order a plate of food. Where's this extra 96 percent coming in? :huh:

And I'm not trying to be confrontational, yes you should absolutely moderate yourself when eating out or on holidays, but this math, these 'studies' don't make sense to me.

aliann30

I don't think it's saying everyone and absolutely. And I don't think it's saying that the more people, the more main courses you order. I think the point is, if you go out with a group of friends, typically you probably order appetizers, your meal, and drinks. You may even eat a dessert. If I go out by myself, I'm not going to go and eat all that. I know when my husband and I take our girls out to eat, we usually just get our meals, we don't get an appetizer or anything. When I used to live in the same state, we used to go out with my family to eat at least 2-3 times a month. When we did, my dad would always order an appetizer, and sometimes on a special occasion we'd order dessert (or if it came with the meal). A lot of extra calories could also be from your drinks. If you are hanging out chatting and take longer to eat your meal, you probably order more refills.

Also, eating out with a large group of people who aren't eating healthily may provide more temptation as you see what everyone else is ordering. You may be more apt to "cheat" because everyone else is, so you won't feel so bad.

And even though you don't eat out very much, I'd have to say that the majority of Americans probably eat out on average 3 times a week. I know at the company I used to work for, it was VERY common for co-workers to go out to eat together, or order in about 3-4 times a week.

I totally get where the article is coming from.

xLyric

I don't think it's saying everyone and absolutely. And I don't think it's saying that the more people, the more main courses you order. I think the point is, if you go out with a group of friends, typically you probably order appetizers, your meal, and drinks. You may even eat a dessert. If I go out by myself, I'm not going to go and eat all that. I know when my husband and I take our girls out to eat, we usually just get our meals, we don't get an appetizer or anything. When I used to live in the same state, we used to go out with my family to eat at least 2-3 times a month. When we did, my dad would always order an appetizer, and sometimes on a special occasion we'd order dessert (or if it came with the meal). A lot of extra calories could also be from your drinks. If you are hanging out chatting and take longer to eat your meal, you probably order more refills.

Also, eating out with a large group of people who aren't eating healthily may provide more temptation as you see what everyone else is ordering. You may be more apt to "cheat" because everyone else is, so you won't feel so bad.

And even though you don't eat out very much, I'd have to say that the majority of Americans probably eat out on average 3 times a week. I know at the company I used to work for, it was VERY common for co-workers to go out to eat together, or order in about 3-4 times a week.

I totally get where the article is coming from.

I guess I'm one of the exceptions then, and that's why I don't understand it, haha.