If you’re going out to eat at a restaurant – be sure to pre-eat first...

If you’re watching your weight, or your wallet, be sure to pre-eat before you go out to dinner...

Research from Penn State University found that by using the pre-eating technique, we take advantage of how our brains are wired and end up eating less and feeling more satisfied. Here’s how it works: Before going to a restaurant, have a small salad, broth or vegetables. If you do that, you’ll actually decrease the number of calories you eat later by at least 20%.

Pre-eating sends signals to the brain that you’ve already eaten and you’re much more likely to choose something you’ll really savor as opposed to something more appealing to your hunger.