Why You Should Pick Dessert First
Here’s the trick: deciding on a decadent dessert before ordering the rest of your meal may lead to a healthier main course choice. At least that’s what a new University of Arizona study shows. Researchers tested out this theory by placing dessert – fresh fruit or lemon cheese cake – at the beginning of a university cafeteria line instead of at the end where you usually see the desserts. They found that when diners picked the cheesecake first, they went on to choose low calorie main courses and side dishes and ended up consuming an average of 30 percent fewer calories than those who chose fruit. The study found, however, that this didn’t work when study participants were distracted or stressed. Under those circumstance, they chose the high calorie dessert and went on to pick high calorie main and side dishes. The study also showed that diners who chose the cheesecake first were twice as likely to order a lighter main dish than those who picked cheesecake when it was placed at the end of the line instead of at the beginning
Source:
Martin Reimann et al, “If I indulge first, I will eat less overall: The unexpected interaction effect of indulgence and presentation order on consumption.” Journal of Experimental Psychology, February 2019, dx.doi.org/10.1037/xap0000210
Also in this week’s bulletin:
- Poor Diet = Poor Mental Health
- Eating To Avoid Colon Cancer
- This week’s recipe: Oven-Roasted Tomatoes
