It may seem like a good idea to order a combo meal -- hey, pay an extra dollar or two to add a huge drink, chips, and a cookie to go with your sandwich, why not? But Palinski says you'll only end up eating more and not saving much at all. Loading the menu with "meal deals" is a common strategy for fast food places, and for good reason. Most patrons won't take the time to add up the price of each individual item and see which option is cheaper; they assume the deal is in fact a deal. But in reality, you might end up spending more for a combo, and you'll almost certainly consume more calories by adding on a soda and side.
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They turn up the volume
You know how you practically have to shout at some restaurants in order to have a conversation with your date? It's not because the restaurant owners just happen to love Muzak. Studies show the louder the tunes, the more quickly you'll eat -- and the sooner you'll leave. That means a faster turnover and a higher profit for the restaurant. But while you may not even notice how quickly you're throwing back that burger, your belly will suffer. It takes 20 minutes for the "I'm full" signal to get from your stomach to your brain, so those loud tunes mean you're more likely to end up overstuffed.
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They want you to feel uncomfortable
Turning up the tunes isn't the only way restaurants try to hustle you out the door. When you're seated, you may find yourself in the awkward middle of the dining room, or perched in uncomfortable chairs. Both of these maneuvers are likely to make you want to shovel in your food more quickly, eating more calories as you go. Remember, if the hostess leads you to a table you're sure you won't enjoy -- like one next to the restroom, for example -- it's OK to request a better location and take your time eating comfortably.
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They get you drunk
Restaurants like to serve you cocktails before you even crack open your menu. Why? Because alcohol stimulates your appetite. Get your drink on before you order and you're more likely to end up ordering more food -- and probably less-healthy options to quiet your now-growling stomach.
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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."
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.
"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.
