Restaurant menus can be deceiving when it comes to our health and weight. They are designed to entice us to order more, indulge in tempting dishes, and increases our bill.

In many cases, we are not even aware of the tricks these menus use to make us gain weight. In this article, we will be decoding the deceptions behind restaurant menus and how they make us gain weight.

Calorie Counts are Misleading

Many restaurants nowadays include calorie counts on their menus. While this may seem like a helpful tool for those of us trying to watch our weight, it can be misleading.

Calorie counts can be incorrect, with many restaurants underestimating the number of calories in their dishes. Additionally, many dishes have hidden calories from sauces, dressings, and even the cooking oil used. Even if a dish appears healthy, it may have a high-calorie content, making it easy to overshoot our daily calorie limits.

Portion Sizes are Too Large

Portion sizes in restaurants have increased dramatically in recent years. Many restaurants serve two to three times the recommended serving size, leading to overeating and weight gain.

Research shows that the size of our plates, bowls, and glasses plays a crucial role in how much we eat. Larger plates and bowls can make a serving size look smaller than it is, leading us to take more than we need. Moreover, larger portions give us a psychological cue to finish everything on our plate, making us eat more than we would have naturally.

Menu Design and Language Can Be Deceptive

Restaurants use various tactics in their menus to influence our decisions and make us order more food. Words like “crispy,” “melting,” and “savory” make our mouths water and make us crave the dish.

On the other hand, words like “steamed,” “grilled,” and “baked” sound plain and boring, even if they are healthy options. Additionally, restaurants may use misleading images of food to make it seem more appetizing than it is, leading us to order the dish.

The Drinks We Order Add Extra Calories

People often underestimate the number of calories in their beverages. Soda, juice, and alcoholic drinks can add hundreds of calories to our meal, making it easier to gain weight.

Restaurants often offer free refills of sugary drinks, making it more tempting to indulge in them. Additionally, many alcoholic drinks have high sugar content, making them a hidden source of calories. Choosing healthier drink options like water or unsweetened iced tea can help us save calories and stay hydrated.

We are More Likely to Order Unhealthy Foods in Groups

Research shows that we are more likely to order unhealthy foods when dining in a group. This is because of social psychology. When eating with friends, we tend to follow their lead and order similar foods.

Additionally, group size can influence the number of dishes ordered, leading us to overindulge. To avoid this trap, we can order nutritious appetizers or share a dessert among the group.

Menu Prices Influence Our Decisions

The price of a dish can significantly influence our decision to order it. Restaurants use various tactics to make us order expensive dishes, like including high-priced specials or offering a free appetizer with an expensive dish.

We may also feel that a more expensive dish is of higher quality and worth the extra cost. This is not always the case as many healthy options are lower in price than indulgent dishes. To avoid this trap, we can look for value meals or opt for healthy options within our budget.

The Bottom Line

Restaurant menus are designed to make us indulge in tempting and often unhealthy dishes. Understanding the tricks behind restaurant menus can help us make healthier choices and avoid weight gain.

Calorie counts can be misleading, portion sizes are often too large, and menu design and language can be deceptive. Ordering healthy beverages, avoiding group influence, and being mindful of menu prices can also help us stay on track with our health goals.

Next time we dine out, let’s be mindful of these deceiving tricks and make informed decisions about what we eat.