Diet

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

January 26, 2012 | by Lexi Petronis | 57 COMMENTS

They paint with purpose Restaurants pour big bucks into interior design, and it's not just because they're fans of Martha Stewart. "Pay close attention to the colors of the restaurant's walls, plates, and so on," Palinski says. "Warm colors like red and yellow stimulate the desire to eat."

SEE NEXT PAGE: They know how to tempt you

10 of 11

leave a comment

View old comments

If I see a place that doesn't use dollar signs, I skip ordering food there entirely.

by veryvanilla Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 09:46PM Report as inappropriate

Interesiting,never knew that red and yellow stimulate you to eat

by cindy11052 Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 06:45AM Report as inappropriate

Too many calories

by LittleBunny Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 05:41PM Report as inappropriate

Nice information

by EricaF123 Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 02:47PM Report as inappropriate

i never eat out anymore, it's just too unhealthy!

by LittleBunny Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 08:41AM Report as inappropriate

WOW, i should pay more attention! I never even gave a second thought to some of these tips! I will now. thank you!

by danny54f Monday, October 15, 2012 at 12:43PM Report as inappropriate

Also, combo meals seem wasteful. If you are not interested in ordering a beverage or a side item, it seems senseless to pay more for food you don't want ... and probably don't need.

by robyne00 Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 02:36PM Report as inappropriate

Eye opening article. I was aware of the colors influencing hunger, but I did not know about playing loud music to make you rush to eat your meal. Interesting how the menus showcase the more expensive items as well.

by robyne00 Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 02:31PM Report as inappropriate

Applebees? Seriously? I should think twice before going out for dinner...

by lilas Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 03:11PM Report as inappropriate

I'm starting to feel like I should just stay in my house all day and raise my own farm animals and plant my own garden...

by schien Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 04:02PM Report as inappropriate

Marketing is so sneaky. But I think I'm most shocked at how Applebee's just straight up lied about the nutrition information -- though I'm sure they're not the only ones.

by VV001 Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 01:10PM Report as inappropriate

Are you really going to come back to a restaurant that makes you feel uncomfortable, though?

by florawynn Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 03:36PM Report as inappropriate

very true, good article.

by lazorc Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 11:00AM Report as inappropriate

Good to know!

by eatinglipstick Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 09:24AM Report as inappropriate

Wow! I had no idea about Applebees! Great article! Very informative!

by CCochran Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 06:43AM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting...

by powerwoman033 Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 07:58PM Report as inappropriate

Good article

by sweettpea29 Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 07:52PM Report as inappropriate

I didn't know some of these! Makes me really happy I usually eat at home these days.

by tallredamanda Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 06:29AM Report as inappropriate

"they get you drunk" hahah next time im out im gonna remember all these!

by MandaaLinda11 Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 12:30PM Report as inappropriate

Those dessert trays get me every time...

by glamgirlseven Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 10:51PM Report as inappropriate

at a nice restaurant, dollar signs look tacky

by Minibear Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 04:51PM Report as inappropriate

that zero transfat issue is for all food junk food claiming 0 transfat. it has been reported on since i was in high school 2003! for fast food restaurant. I just don't understand why, the fda has made changes.

by Minibear Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 04:45PM Report as inappropriate

Great info! Thanks!

by Jewelrydesigner Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 11:17AM Report as inappropriate

Wow! I didn't know half of this. But I can say I'm going to be more careful when ordering!

by Mishashawnea Monday, March 12, 2012 at 10:41PM Report as inappropriate

The loud music and paint colors were interesting points. Never knew that!

by ajacks313 Monday, March 12, 2012 at 12:09PM Report as inappropriate

fast food is just so bad for you..

by smiley412 Friday, March 9, 2012 at 10:39PM Report as inappropriate

So THAT is why the seats are always so uncomfortable lol

by samantha_messersmith Friday, March 9, 2012 at 11:28AM Report as inappropriate

Awesome article, just when I thought I knew it all !

by applepiealamode Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 08:40PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the article. Definitely an eye opener!

by little_gardener_24 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 07:35PM Report as inappropriate

Certainly useful. Thumbs up!

by heartMashimaro Monday, March 5, 2012 at 01:53AM Report as inappropriate

I definitely have noticed tricks like this used many times while eating out...good to know!

by jill_wieser Friday, March 2, 2012 at 03:24PM Report as inappropriate

Fast food is terrible for you. So I don't eat it often, and I stay away from the sodas, and I just plain hate Applebee's.

by yestfl Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

I try to stay away from the fast food. I know they lie to us.

by tiffany_gallehugh Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:11AM Report as inappropriate

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

I never thought those listing would be blatant lies... No more Applebees for me.

by cheechy Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 05:40PM Report as inappropriate

It's rather scary (and pathetic) what places will do to get you to come in and eat with them, and how they'll keep you there. Sick.

by erinface Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 02:58PM Report as inappropriate

In Tennessee laws are not yet in place to show how mukh fat is in the food...I don't think it should be law, but I know I would like to know and it sure would curb oesity. I think TN is the fatest state in the nation...am I right? I kow I eat a lot of gravyand biscuits but I am one of the lucky ones with a moderate to hih metabolism.

by mrsangelb Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 05:50PM Report as inappropriate

Great article, very informative! You'd think restaurants would want to be honest to their customers, but I suppose they are just in it to make money.

by MissXu Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:54AM Report as inappropriate

ohh well, thousands ways of making money!!!

by 4getu123 Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:11PM Report as inappropriate

wow, really interesting. it's crazy how much restaurants do to make money

by sportimonki13 Friday, January 27, 2012 at 09:26PM Report as inappropriate

Good article. Thank you.

by agnesN Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:56AM Report as inappropriate

wow, I never knew restaurants had THAT many sneaky tricks! Thanks for this article, great advice to know what to look out for!

by RaraGiggles89 Friday, January 27, 2012 at 02:47AM Report as inappropriate

ewwwwwww

by volta Friday, January 27, 2012 at 12:30AM Report as inappropriate

This is so true. They just care about the money that they can get from you and not what is healthy for you.

by laurie72 Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 04:34PM Report as inappropriate

Very sneaky!

by LittleBunny Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 03:37PM Report as inappropriate

i believe this its soo true

by Nicole2814 Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 03:07PM Report as inappropriate

I believe it.

by Mysterylady Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 02:04PM Report as inappropriate

The lying about calories and fat in the entree is scary...sometimes I do wonder when ordering from the "lite" menu how in the world can they cook these items and have them come up to less than when I cook the same thing at home? I generally know about what most servings have and it usually doesn't add up to me! I doubt its only applebees that does this. Better to eat at home and know what your getting.

by bayoukris Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:05PM Report as inappropriate

I like the one about the meal deals - so true.

by vampirehunter Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 11:50AM Report as inappropriate

Home » Diet & Health » Diet » 10 Facts Restaurants Don't Want You to Know