Secrets of Slim Eaters

People who are able to maintain a healthy weight are obviously doing something right. Maybe they always hit their fruit and veggie goal, or they avoid junk food, or they work out religiously. Or, perhaps they just behave differently around food than heavier people. That's exactly what researchers from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, found when they observed 213 diners at Chinese buffet restaurants. The study found noticeable differences in the way thin people ate and behaved compared to those who were overweight. In particular, they noticed that slimmer eaters: Browsed before biting. Thinner people scoured the choices before deciding which foods to put on their plates. This is so important--you want to choose foods you really like and that are satisfying--and leave the others off your plate. (If all the foods you like are high-calorie, choose just a few of your absolute favorites.) Chewed longer. People at a healthy weight chewed 15 times per bite compared to 12 times for heavier people. "Increased chewing per bite of food has been shown to be related to a lower body mass index (a ratio of height to weight)," says study author Brian Wansink, Ph.D., author of Mindless Eating. Used a smaller plate. This is an old trick that really works, and this study offers further proof. Next time you're at a buffet or party, switch your dinner and salad plate. Fill the larger plate with low-calorie foods, such as an all-veggie salad (with the dressing on the side) and use the salad plate for more caloric food, like dessert. Forgot about their forks. Heavier people used forks, whereas slender people tended to use chopsticks. It's harder to shovel in a lot of food. Check out The Best Life Diet for more information.