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

by Lexi Petronis

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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

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Older 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 EricaC123 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