When buying food in bulk (large containers), divide it into serving sizes and place in separate containers as soon as reasonably possible. A recent study found that women who were given a two-pound box of spaghetti and asked to prepare dinner for two made 29 percent more pasta than when given a one pound box. When frying chicken, women used three and a half ounces of cooking oil from a 16-ounce bottle, yet used 23 percent more when pouring from a 32-ounce bottle. Other studies also show dramatic increases in how much people eat when given larger bags of potato chips and chocolate candy. So while buying food in big bags and bottles may seem to save you money, it can cost you unwanted pounds if you’re not careful with your portion sizes.
