Is Your Kitchen Making You Fat? Decor + Organizing Tips to Help …
Q&A with Organizational Pro Peter Walsh + Dermatologist Shares A…
Actor Hank Azaria + Freezer Meals + Artichokes 2 Ways with Rach
See Inside Barbara Corcoran's Stunning NY Apartment + It's Steak…
How to Make Chicken and Lobster Piccata | Richard Blais
Donnie Wahlberg Spills Details About NKOTB's First Ever Conventi…
Donnie Wahlberg + Jenny McCarthy Say Rach Is Such a "Joy" + Look…
The Best Moments From 17 Seasons of the Show Will Make You Laugh…
How to Make Crabby Carbonara | Rachael Ray
Rach Chats "Firsts" In Flashback From Our First Episode Ever In …
How to Make Apple-Cider Braised Pork Chop Sandwiches with Onion …
Rach's Chef Pals Say Goodbye to Show in Surprise Video Message
How to Make Sesame Cookies | Buddy Valastro
How to Make Tortilla with Potatoes, Piquillo Peppers and Mancheg…
How to Make Shrimp Burgers | Jacques Pepin
How to Make Spanakopipasta | Rachael Ray
Andrew McCarthy Chokes Up Discussing Emotional Trip to Spain wit…
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Andrew McCarthy Teases Upcoming "Brat Pack" Reunion Special
Michelle Obama Toasts Rach's 17 Years on the Air With a Heartfel…
They say the kitchen is the most important room in the house, but could yours be stopping you from reaching your weight loss goals?
Dr. Brian Wansink, the author of Slim by Design, says, “Our kitchens sabotage our diets. They’re filled with all these hidden persuaders that cause us to overeat without wanting to.” Check out his nine clever organizing and decorating tips that could help you eat and weight less.
Clear the Counter
Clear your counter of all foods except a fruit bowl. “People who have fruit bowls on their counter, on average, weigh 13 pounds less than a neighbor who doesn’t,” the doctor says.
WATCH: The Top 5 Weight Loss Myths You Need to Know
Move Your Pantry to a Room Far Away From the Kitchen
Having to walk an extra distance might help you stop reaching for the snacks so quickly.
Keep Healthy Food at Eye Level in Your Fridge
Dr. Wansink recommends moving unhealthier items lower or higher in the fridge, so when you open it, the first thing you see are your most healthy foods.
Don’t Serve Family-Style
Serve from the kitchen counter or a sideboard rather than putting serving bowls on your dinner table -- that way you’ll have to get up for a second helping.
WATCH: See the Sexy Makeover of a Grandma Who Lost 55 Lbs
Choose the Right Plate Color
Serve foods on plates with contrasting colors -- you’re more likely to eat less if the food isn’t the same color as the plate.
Separate Bulk Snacks Into Small Containers
While it can be cost-saving to buy in bulk, that giant container makes it hard to tell how much you are eating, and to know when to stop. Dr. Wansink recommends dividing up bulk foods into smaller, individual portions.
WATCH: 6 Ways to Get Fit by Changing Your Environment
Paint Your Kitchen
“The color of your kitchen can make you fat. Because if it’s too bright, you eat too fast and if it’s too dim, what happens is that you linger longer and end up eating more,” Dr. Wansink says.
The fix? Paint your kitchen in neutral earth tones or adjust your lighting.
Follow the Half-Plate Rule
Always fill up half your plate with fruits or vegetables. That includes second (or third) helpings!
Use Smaller Plates and Cups
If you want to cut your calories without feeling like you’re eating small portions, try making your plate or glass smaller. It will make you feel like you’re getting more!
MORE: Make These 3 Simple Changes to Get Fit for Summer
Our viewer Peggy, a mom of five from Nutley, New Jersey, got the personal treatment from Dr. Wansink -- watch as he goes through her kitchen and gives her real-life advice on what changes she should make.