3 Tricks to Use with Your Bae if You Both Want to Lose Weight  

'Tis better to have loved and lost...weight? Contrary to popular belief, many of the trappings of a romantic meal can make bonds closer—and waistlines smaller. (It's not all about the merlot and chocolate cake.) These three tricks can be slimming for you and your partner:

Seductive Lighting
In a German study, blindfolded diners consumed fewer calories than those who could see, likely because they had to rely on their body's fullness signals rather than visual cues (like portion size). Candlelight, or dimming the overheads, could potentially produce a similar effect.

RELATED: 5 Mindful-Eating Tips for Weight Loss

A Perfectly Set Table
Placing your dinnerware on a tablecloth of a similar color can make food look more abundant on your plate, says science from Cornell University. The thinking is you'll be less inclined to overserve yourself. White is the classic choice, but any matching hues will do. (Find out how you can kick off your body transformation with Women's Health's Body Clock Diet.)

RELATED: 5 Ways Drinking More Water Can Help You Lose Weight 

Taste Testing
Research out of Johns Hopkins University found that when people cook most of their meals at home, they lap up fewer carbs, less sugar, and less fat than those who cook less or not at all. Plus, co-creating a meal—and feeding each other sauce—is a great recipe for bonding.

This article was originally published in the June 2016 issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now.

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