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10 Facts Restaurants Don't Want You to Know

Going out to eat may be fun, but don't expect it to be healthful -- at least, not when restaurants are pulling tricks like these to make you eat (and spend!) more and more

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Going out to eat is practically our national pastime. In fact, according to United Press International, the average American eats 4.8 restaurant meals per week.

What can we say? We like restaurants. They make regular meals feel a little fancy. It's nice to get gussied up and have someone cook (and clean up) for us. And while it's possible to eat healthy meals for reasonable prices at restaurants, it's not easy. Why? Because restaurants don't exactly want you to eat healthy meals at reasonable prices.

Click here to see 10 ways restaurants make you eat more.

"The restaurant industry has spent millions of dollars and years of research to understand human behavior and how it can subliminally get us to order more and eat more," says Erin Palinski, RD, CDE, CPT, a registered dietician and author of the forthcoming "Belly Fat Diet for Dummies."

After all, the more you eat, the more money they make. But don't worry -- we uncovered these 10 tricks that restaurants use to overfill your belly (and drain your wallet) so that you'll have the facts the next time you go out to eat.

Click here to see 10 ways restaurants make you fat.

See Next Page: They fudge the numbers

By Lexi Petronis

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wow those are interesting to know

by hannah_d Monday, February 20, 2012 at 05:27PM Report as inappropriate

I wish all restaurants would list their nutritional info. I'm willing to pay a dollar or two more if it is better for me.

by TheLacqueredLady Friday, February 17, 2012 at 02:20PM Report as inappropriate

Helpful info, also remember, that restaurants also usually make it uncomfortably cold or warm to hustle you out the door!

by queeniemeanie Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:14PM Report as inappropriate

Restaurants can do these tricks but it is up to the patrons to not get tricked. it is difficult but it can be done. G luck!!!

by kez_shay Friday, February 10, 2012 at 09:48AM Report as inappropriate

The noise in restaurants is really annoying. It's actually the reason why I don't want to eat out.

by patricia89 Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:45AM Report as inappropriate

Don't eat out much anyway but this certainly makes me never want to again, but I know that I will.

by andie Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:23AM Report as inappropriate

This is all baloney.

by Pearla3 Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:18PM Report as inappropriate

The noise level thing explains Chipotle lining their walls in metal. How annoying.

by krycekov Monday, January 30, 2012 at 09:51AM Report as inappropriate

amazing article! the thing about 'forgetting the currency' is like :O but so true! I was always wondering about that, like heloo? is it so hard to put a "$" at the end xD amazing how they try to trick us with everything -.-

by linche0starligh Monday, January 30, 2012 at 06:35AM Report as inappropriate