Tuesday

Dining With Your Loved Ones Can Make You Eat 48% More, Experts Say

If you’ve ever noticed that after a dinner with your loved ones your jeans get too tight, this is not a coincidence. And if you believe that this happens because you’re relaxed and there is no need to suck your belly in, you’re also mistaken. In reality, these get-togethers make us eat more than usual, and there is a reason behind it.

We at Bright Side were surprised to discover that our loved ones can make us overeat without saying a word, and here is how it happens:

People eat up to 50% more with family and friends.

A team of experts at the University of Birmingham looked at 42 studies on social dining. And it is now confirmed that our waistlines are in real danger when we are eating in the company of our friends or family members. Maybe it is time for our trainers to ban meetings with those we love, instead of sweets and pastries. We are able to eat 48% more food with them, compared to the times we dine alone.

We got this behavior from our ancestors.

This behavior is described as a form of “social facilitation” — a tendency to act better when around other people. The research team says that its roots can be traced all the way back to the survival tactics of ancient people.

Food was particularly scarce in the past, and that’s why wasting products wasn’t acceptable. To avoid it, people shared everything they gathered. This behavior also helped them make sure that everyone in the group ate about the same amount.

Scientists believe that this mechanism has evolved, but, in a way, still persists today. It no longer serves its initial goal though and these days there are several reasons for it.

First of all, it’s more rewarding and enjoyable to share food with others. We not only eat together, but we also enjoy many other small things, whether it be talking, movies, or anything else. It helps us develop stronger social bonds and satisfy one of our basic needs. Sharing food is also associated with recognition and praise from friends and family.

So this strategy used to serve a critical function, but nowadays it’s turned into an unhealthy habit. And if it is really in our genes, there isn’t so much we can do. Just be aware of it and try different kinds of food, but at optimal amounts. We don’t need to compete for resources anymore – we’ve lived past that.

Bonus: Our appetite isn’t as strong when we eat with strangers.

However, our appetite isn’t that great when we dine with people we don’t know very well or with complete strangers. Scientists say that this happens because we often choose what and how much to eat based on the type of impression that we want to convey about ourselves. For example, this is usually what women do when eating with men they want to impress or what people with obesity do who wish to avoid being judged for overeating.