Here's a good reason to replace the lighting in your dining room with something more romantic. According to one study, you can trick yourself into feeling satisfied with less food by dimming the lights.

The study published in Psychological Reports found that customers dining in a remodeled section of a restaurant with dimmer lighting and a less harsh environment were more likely to take their time eating their meals, and even ended up eating fewer calories:
"When we softened the lights and softened the music in the restaurant it didn't change what people ordered, but what it did do was lead them to eat less and made them more satisfied and happier," said Brian Wansink, a professor of marketing and consumer behavior at Cornell University in New York.

"Spending that extra time eating a little more slowly at a more relaxed pace made a world of difference, not just to how much they ate but how much they liked it."
The theory here is that by making the ambiance less intense, people won't feel compelled to rush through their meals. Of course, eating in the dark isn't going to work without a proper diet plan. But it's still something to consider when you're going in for a second helping at the buffet.

[Today]