Stop Overeating, Stat!

Closing your menu after ordering food can make you more satisfied with the grub you choose, says a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

British researchers examined a concept called “choice closure,” which happens when you physically close something (like a menu) after making a decision. In a similar study, some people put a transparent lid on a tray of chocolates after picking one to eat, while others didn’t shut the tray after choosing. Those who covered up the candies were more satisfied with their decisions, according to the study.

Researchers say the act of closure can subconsciously trigger a sense of completion and confidence. “If you’re happy with your [first] choice, then you’re less likely to be tempted to have a second one,” explains study coauthor David Faro, Ph.D., an assistant marketing professor at the London Business School.

Try this tip: Next time you’re eating at a buffet with endless options, put your first helping in a take-home box with a lid instead of an open plate. Closing the lid when you’re finished will help you avoid the temptation to grab seconds and thirds, says study coauthor Yangjie Gu, Ph.D.