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How Smaller Plates Help Trick Your Mind During Weight Loss

Updated: May 3

What if I told you that a simple trick, involving the size of your plate, could make losing fat easier? Nope it is not a jedi mind trick, but it is true that by opting for smaller plates when trying to lose fat, you can leverage the power of your mind to your advantage. Let's look at the psychology behind this simple hack and how it can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

small plate

The Illusion of Fullness

Our brains are wired to associate visual cues with satiety. When we see a plate full of food, it sends signals to our mind that we are consuming a satisfying meal. The secret lies in exploiting this psychological phenomenon with smaller plates. By serving your meals on smaller plates, you create the illusion of a full plate even when you reduce portion sizes. As a result, your mind perceives the meal as more substantial than it is, tricking you into feeling more satisfied with less food.


Using Smaller Plates to Control Portion Sizes

Portion control is a key part of successful weight loss, but it can be challenging to implement. Larger plates often lead to oversized portions as we subconsciously fill up the available space. Smaller plates, on the other hand, naturally limit the amount of food you can place on them, enabling you to exercise portion control effortlessly. This approach helps prevent overeating and promotes healthier eating habits without feelings of deprivation.


Mindful Eating Made Easy

Mindful eating involves paying close attention to the sensory experience of eating, focusing on flavors, textures, and satiety signals. Smaller plates encourage mindful eating by prompting you to savor each bite and eat more slowly. As you consume smaller portions, you become more attuned to your body's hunger and fullness cues, making it easier to stop eating when you feel satisfied, rather than continuing to eat out of habit or because there's food left on the plate.


Psychological Satisfaction

The act of finishing everything on our plate has been ingrained in many cultures as a sign of respect and appreciation for the food served. Unfortunately, this can lead to overeating, especially when using larger plates. Smaller plates help shift this mindset. When you finish everything on a smaller plate, you still experience a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, reinforcing positive eating behaviors without overindulgence.


Trick Your Mind During Weight Loss and Reduce the Feeling of Deprivation

Conventional diets often make people feel deprived, leading to cravings and eventual lapses. Using smaller plates, however, allows you to enjoy visually satisfying meals, even with reduced portions. This prevents the feeling of missing out, making it easier to stick to your weight loss plan for the long run. Utilizing psychological tricks, such as using smaller plates, can significantly impact your eating habits

and facilitate weight loss in a more sustainable manner. By tapping into the mind's powerful perception of satiety and portion control, smaller plates help you eat mindfully, feel satisfied with less, and eliminate the feeling of deprivation.


If you want to lose fat, consider making a simple yet impactful change in your kitchen cupboard – remember how smaller plates help to trick your mind and swap those larger plates for smaller ones. This minor adjustment can yield meaningful results over time, helping you to overcome mental barriers and achieve your weight loss goals. Remember, the mind is a powerful tool, and by using it to your advantage, you can make your fat loss efforts a little easier.


I hope you found this post useful, I provide regular advice on Instagram: @fitforapurposeuk so follow me for more information to help you achieve your goals.


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Chris Ivy
Nov 22, 2023

The best trick ever

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Jo
Jo
Nov 22, 2023
Replying to

Glad you agree 😀 it’s definitely a great trick. Especially if there is a buffet situation. Going back for seconds

Or thirds our mind likely tells us it’s greedy /unnecessary 👍

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