When you eat, your senses of smell and taste help you enjoy your meal. But did you know that vision can play a role in eating behavior, too? Researchers from Stockholm, Sweden, evaluated how vision influences eating behavior in a recent study published in the journal Obesity Research.

Nine blind study participants were paired with nine study participants who could see, and both groups consumed a meal. The eating behavior of the seeing study participants was measured a second time while they were blindfolded. The scientists conducting the study measured the volume of food consumed by each person, as well as the participants' feelings of fullness.

In general, the people who were blind had similar eating habits to the people who were not blind. However, when the sighted people were blindfolded, they consumed about 22% less food and spent less time eating than when they could see their meals. The sighted study participants reported the same feelings of fullness for both meals.

The study researchers believe that eating blindfolded may have caused the participants to rely on their internal signals of hunger. You don't have to blindfold yourself, but you can learn to rely on your internal hunger cues. Instead of watching TV or reading while you eat, concentrate solely on your food and the conversations of your companions. Savor the individual flavors of each food you've prepared, and pay close attention to feelings of fullness, stopping when you are satisfied but not stuffed.

Related information: Nutrition Center | Food Choice for weight management

Sources:  Linne Y, Barkeling B, Rossner S, Rooth P. Vision and eating behavior. Obesity Research February 2002, Vol. 10, p. 92-95.