Brian Wansink, Ph.D. has overseen some of the most fascinating research into the reasons why we overeat of anyone I know. He is the author of “Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think” (2007) and the head of Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab. His research demonstrates how our eating behavior is strongly influenced by the society we live in and our immediate environment.

How would you answer the question “How do you know if you are through eating dinner?” Dr. Wansink’s research revealed a fundamental difference between the responses from 150 Chicagoans as compared with 150 Parisians.

The Americans were primarily influenced by external factors whereas the Parisians were influenced by internal factors. I suspect the Chicagoans in the study may very well be typical of many if not most Americans. I encourage you to watch the YouTube video I’ve posted of an interview with Dr. Wansink to see what people shared. You may be surprised at the responses that were given.

We have little control over the dominant food culture. In the United States, that means having food within plain sight and easy reach too much of the time. In addition, all too often the food is a poor choice. We are also bombarded with highly effective advertising messages and other forms of food marketing. In restaurants the portions are often too big, far more food than one person needs to eat.

Dr. Wansink’s perspective is that our best chance for eating less food and in turn, managing weight, is to gain some control over the things we can in our immediate environment. For example, we have a choice as to the amount and kind of food we bring into our homes and where we choose to eat out when we go to a restaurant.

Changing the society we live in and the cultural norms would be a much more difficult battle. He’s not so sure that’s something that needs changing. I disagree. Bringing about change in the dominant culture is difficult. However, I believe it is what we need. And I believe it is beginning to change for the better as awareness increases about the nature of the problem we are facing. It may take many years but it will happen.

In the meantime, keep in mind some of the observations Dr. Wansink shares from his research:

1. We eat more when we eat family style meals with the serving bowl on the table.
2. We eat more if we eat directly from a bag or carton.
3. We eat more from a bigger plate than a smaller plate.
4. We eat more when we are in front of the television, in the car, or with friends.

Of all the societal and environmental influences on our food habits, he claims that visibility and convenience have the greatest influence. All too often if food is available for eating and within sight, we eat. In this next video you get a glimpse into the ways in which small changes, which affect visibility and convenience, can have an enormous impact on our eating behavior.

Candy Dish Placement and Weight Gain

Fascinating!

In my last post I wrote about the importance of record keeping for weight loss. If you are keeping a food diary, make notes about your eating habits. Keep in mind what Dr. Wansink has shared. Watch for the moments when you may convince yourself that eating a little more won’t hurt. Keep track of when you eat just because you can and not because of hunger. Now get creative about what you might do to protect yourself from the “See it, eat it” tendency.

Have a great week, watch those calories, and stay healthy!