Mirror, mirror on the dining room wall

A mirror in the dining area

If you want to lose weight, put a mirror up in your dining area.

Research shows that the presence of a mirror where one eats reduces the perceived tastiness of unhealthy food, which consequently helps one eat less.

The taste test study

For the research, 185 undergraduate students chose between a chocolate cake and a fruit salad and then evaluated its taste, eaten in a room with a mirror or with no mirrors.

Those who selected the chocolate cake evaluated it as less tasty in the room with a mirror, compared to those with no mirrors around. However, the presence of a mirror did not change the taste of the fruit salad.

Adding an objective view

"A glance in the mirror tells people more than just about their physical appearance. It enables them to view themselves objectively and helps them to judge themselves and their behaviours in a same way that they judge others,” explains lead researcher Ata Jami of the University of Central Florida.

This research suggests that placing a mirror in the dining room may be an effective way to encourage healthier eating.

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