How to Be a Conscious Eater

portion size doubled for a basic bowl of spaghetti and meat-

balls, tripled for a soda, and quintupled for a chocolate chip

cookie. All this despite much sensory and psychology research

showing that we get the most pleasure from the first few bites

of a food, with enjoyment falling off with each subsequent bite.

And, that it’s the pleasure of the final bite of something that

determines the pleasure we feel after eating it. Which means

that smaller portions are actually more satisfying.

When portions are too large, we eat too much food, waste

some of it, or do both.

Bottom line: For a clean conscience and a clean plate, aim for

reasonable portions when you eat away from home—by using

calorie labeling where it’s available, and ordering only what

you can eat.

BETWEEN 1982 AND 2002, THE ESTIMATED RESTAURANT

PORTION SIZE TRIPLED FOR A SODA AND QUINTUPLED

FOR A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE.

1982 2002

St u f f t h at’s made in restaurant kitchens 247

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