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If you’ve been trying and trying to cut down on your appetite, but for some reason you just can’t, here’s a simple way you can eat a little less.
One new study finds that if people who eat unhealthy food look at themselves while eating, they’re less likely to enjoy that food.
Researchers found that this only applies to unhealthy foods.
The study was done on 185 college students, who were given the choice between a chocolate cake and a fruit salad.
Then, they ate it either in a room with or without mirrors.
Those who ate chocolate cake in a room with mirrors found that it was “less tasty” than those who ate it in a room with no mirrors.
The room had no effect on those who chose to eat fruit salad.
The mirror’s effect was interesting. Study authors found that those who looked in mirrors felt compelled to compare themselves to societal standards.
When they look in the mirror and see themselves eating cake, they feel discomfort about eating something unhealthy. This makes the cake’s taste less appealing.
The mirrors don’t have the same effect on those eating fruit salad, because the people who chose fruit salad know they made a good choice and aren’t ashamed to eat it.
“A glance in the mirror tells people more than just physical appearance” says Dr. Ata Jami of the University of Florida, the lead scientist in the study. “It enables them to view themselves objectively and helps them to judge themselves and their behaviors in the same way that they judge others.
So if you want to stop yourself from eating junk food? Just look in a mirror.
