7 Stupid-Simple Ways to Eat Less

It's not easy being green, but it can be easy to be lean. Here's how - by Julie Stewart

Grin Yourself Thin

To maintain a healthy weight, do something to make yourself smile. A study in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research found serotonin, the "happy hormone", reduces appetite, and higher levels of it make you more likely to burn fat.

Crack Some Nuts

In an Eastern Illinois University study, people who were given shelled (that is, naked) pistachios ate 882 kilojoules' worth while those who had the in-shell variety (you have to crack 'em open) consumed only 523kJ in the same sitting.

Put a Fork In It

Your non-dominant hand, that is. You'll be more mindful of what you're eating and probably end up consuming less. (Using chopsticks works, too, especially if you're not a pro.) Just have plenty of napkins on hand.

Use a Cheat Plate

With the Portion Plate ($17.95; nutritionaustralia.org) you see partitions for meat (a quarter of the plate), whole grains (another quarter) and fruits and vegetables (half the plate), along with pictures of foods in the proper serving sizes to guide you.

Add Roo to Your Protein Stock

Grill up a 200-gram kangaroo steak every now and then. It has only 820kJ and 2g of fat. Plus, the 44g of lean protein in that 'roo steak can keep you satisfied enough to decline dessert.

Be an Early Bird

Late risers not only eat more kilojoules (almost 840kJ more at dinner) but also eat more unhealthily than those who wake up around 8am, according to a Northwestern University study.

Eat with a Woman

Men consume 37 per cent less when they eat with a wife or girlfriend than when they dine out with their mates, according to researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo.