Weight loss: Can the colour of your plate help you lose weight?
Colour of plate and weight loss
If you are a little perplexed after reading the headline then we are not surprised at all. We have always been told that weight loss is an outcome of healthy dietary habits and intense workout sessions. So, the question arises how the colour of the plate can influence this complex process. Surprisingly, it does and is even backed by science.
Weight loss and the colour of your plate
One of the major challenges of a weight loss diet plan is portion control. The amount of food you fill your plate with matters in order to maintain your calorie count. However, mastering this trick and practising mindful eating is not an easy task. Most people fail to keep track of their calorie intake and end up overeating. This is where the colour of your plate comes into play.
Studies suggest that people tend to eat less if there is a higher contrast in colours between the plate and the food. If you eat light-coloured food from a dark coloured plate, you will probably eat less. The reasons being the portion of your food looks greater as it stands out in a darker plate. In a light coloured plate, it just blends and you overeat.
The right colour
Bright colours like -yellow, orange, and red, are known to stimulate our appetites the most. These colours, especially red, increase our blood pressure and heart rate, making us feel more hungry. However, grey, black, brown, and purple are considered as an appetite suppressant. By having food in plates of these colours, the chances of overeating decreases. The blue colour is considered the best among all. Science suggests that eating in the dark blue plate can help you control the portion size in a better way.
The shape of the utensil
Not only the colour of the utensils but the shape also plays a role when it comes to weight loss. Having your food or drink from a tall, narrow glass or bowl is better than the wide one. Both of them might contain the same amount of fluid or food, but the study shows that people feel like they are having more when they use the tall, narrow version.