Does eating in a smaller plate help?

Does eating in a small plate really make you eat less?

Some studies suggest that using smaller plates, cups, and bowls help with portion control. If you use a smaller plate, the same amount of food looks bigger.  So you're basically tricking your brain into feeling fuller with less total food, without having to do all that hard mental work of counting calories.

Similarly, even plate colour has a psychological role in influencing food consumption in individuals.

People serve themselves more food when food and plates have similar colouring (low contrast). On the contrary, people serve themselves less food when food and plates were different colours (high contrast). They may be various reasons for plates to have this effect, but it is suggested that different plate sizes, colour and shapes can trigger certain thoughts and feelings, which can have an influence on food consumption.

As a dietitian, whenever I counsel a patient who is trying to manage portion control the first advice I give is to eat in smaller cups and plates. I believe it definitely works and is an excellent method to keep an eye out for portion control.  Have you tried this trick?

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