A recent study showed that by simply putting snacks on a red plate, the amount of them eaten will decrease.
Can’t stop devouring that favorite food of yours? The problem might not be a lack of willpower – it could be how that food is served.
A recent study showed that by simply putting snacks on a red plate, the amount of them eaten will decrease.
Testing was pretty straightforward. People were asked to come in and fill out a questionnaire. In front of them were pretzels on either red, blue or white plates.
Those who were offered the salty snacks on a red plate ate fewer than those who were given theirs on the blue and white ones.
One of the researchers said, “The results suggest that red functions as a subtle stop signal that works outside of focused awareness and thereby reduces incidental food and drink intake.”
The findings certainly contradict the widespread belief that red makes people hungry, resulting in a plethora of primarily red fast food signs.
On that note, the author of the study suggested that the color could affect individuals differently when they’re in an active state, like driving down the road.
When things are quiet and the tv’s on, red resumes it’s stop-sign function.
