Where You Sit at a Restaurant Affects How You Eat

Dining out can wreak havoc on a diet plan. But simply changing where you sit might help you avoid temptation, according to a new book, Slim By Design (opens in new tab).

Cornell professor Brian Wansink and his team visited 27 different restaurants across the U.S. to study their layouts and what people ate at each table. And they found table location had a lot to do with what restaurant patrons consumed, consciously or not. For example, patrons perched at bar-height tables tend to order more salads, and those who sat in conspicuous places often opted for healthier picks because others were watching.

Before you hit your favorite neighborhood spot again, keep in mind these other tips based on his findings:

1. Sit by the window.

Not only will you be more visible (and possibly more mindful of other diners watching you), but "seeing the sunlight, people, or trees outside might make you more conscious about how you look," Wansink wrote in a press release (opens in new tab).

2. Don't get too comfortable.

People who sit at high tables rather than booths tend to order healthier food and skip dessert. Why? It's tough to slouch and indulge in their laziness.

3. Step away from the TV.

If you're eating a sports bar, get away from the screen. Patrons who sat closest to the television ate more fried foods, Wansink found.

4. Be careful at the buffet.

Thin people tend to get smaller plates at Chinese buffets and use chopsticks, not forks. Plus, they sit far away from the buffet and turn away from all the tasty-looking food.

5. Avoid the dreaded "fat table."

The worst seat in the house is a booth in a dark corner, far from the door and near the bar. Diners who sit there order fewer salads, more desserts, and more booze.

Via