Most women know the basics of dieting. But now, there's one more item on the list to be struck off - dining with friends who overeat.
Scientists say the amount we eat is not just about the food on the plate, but who we're eating it with. Women who dine with a companion are likely to eat a similar amount and at the same pace as the companion, found the study. Often, women use other people as their model for 'appropriate' eating. Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, Kareena Kapoor's dietician, has often explained how we never count the food that we gulp down from a friend's plate - the tiny brownie during a conversation, the samosa that the friend offered, and those malted biscuits with coffee - and later blame the diet.
Bff's emotional eating
When one eats while chatting, especially in the company of someone whose appetite is bigger than yours, it leads to mindless munching. And don't forget the depression pangs. It's called 'emotional eating group disorder' when close friends meet up for lunch, and while discussing boyfriend troubles, peer pressure and even weight issues, end up overeating - without even realising it. "If one overweight friend is shedding tears over French fries, the rest will console her, saying that she is not so fat after all, and that she has the right to eat to her satisfaction at least once in a while. And that's how she ends up overeating," says Chahak Lakandpal, 21.
Partner in crime
"Whenever I eat out with my boyfriend, I get this feeling that I am eating 'less than normal', for he packs away large meals, while mine is a small plate of brown bread sandwich. Then slowly, I begin to lay my hands on his plate, thinking, 'Itne se kuch nahin hoga.' Even he insists, 'Tum kuch kha kyun nahin rahi ho.... eat something na. Later, I do regret cheating on my diet plan," confesses Shweta Kaul, 24.
Social dining dilemma
The study details that women adjust their eating pattern to others, especially at the start of the meal when they want to get along with each other and maintain a positive social relationship. Many homemakers, while trying to shed some kilos, quake at the thought of attending a cocktail. Mind you, not for the lack of a suitable evening gown, but because of the 'what-will-I-eat-there' dilemma. "It's confusing if you're seated among a bunch of ladies who're constantly tucking into paneer tikkas, spring rolls, manchurians, and you maintain a 'No, I don't want' to all the waiters. And for the main course, if I pick up only the salads, I know I'll be the butt of all jokes within seconds. They'll laugh out loud, 'Lo, ab inko dieting ka shauk chadha hai.' So, I indulge in the buffet, then starve myself later of food as well as self-esteem," rues Sunita Arora, 35.
Corporate mess?
"Especially foreign associates - they happily order dal makhani and butter chicken, and if I stick to my continental salad resolution, I look like an idiot. It does affect my professional bond, so I end up loading on the Mughlai main course," cribs Saloni Dhingra, 27. "Even if you're dining with a boss who loves to eat, you can't say 'Look, I believe in healthy eating,' and steer clear of the heavy six-course meal," explains Malini Khanna, 30.
So next time you encounter a friend, relative or acquaintance who's on a diet and doesn't want to go out, don't blame them - they're just being wise!
Scientists say the amount we eat is not just about the food on the plate, but who we're eating it with. Women who dine with a companion are likely to eat a similar amount and at the same pace as the companion, found the study. Often, women use other people as their model for 'appropriate' eating. Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, Kareena Kapoor's dietician, has often explained how we never count the food that we gulp down from a friend's plate - the tiny brownie during a conversation, the samosa that the friend offered, and those malted biscuits with coffee - and later blame the diet.
Bff's emotional eating
When one eats while chatting, especially in the company of someone whose appetite is bigger than yours, it leads to mindless munching. And don't forget the depression pangs. It's called 'emotional eating group disorder' when close friends meet up for lunch, and while discussing boyfriend troubles, peer pressure and even weight issues, end up overeating - without even realising it. "If one overweight friend is shedding tears over French fries, the rest will console her, saying that she is not so fat after all, and that she has the right to eat to her satisfaction at least once in a while. And that's how she ends up overeating," says Chahak Lakandpal, 21.
Partner in crime
"Whenever I eat out with my boyfriend, I get this feeling that I am eating 'less than normal', for he packs away large meals, while mine is a small plate of brown bread sandwich. Then slowly, I begin to lay my hands on his plate, thinking, 'Itne se kuch nahin hoga.' Even he insists, 'Tum kuch kha kyun nahin rahi ho.... eat something na. Later, I do regret cheating on my diet plan," confesses Shweta Kaul, 24.
Social dining dilemma
The study details that women adjust their eating pattern to others, especially at the start of the meal when they want to get along with each other and maintain a positive social relationship. Many homemakers, while trying to shed some kilos, quake at the thought of attending a cocktail. Mind you, not for the lack of a suitable evening gown, but because of the 'what-will-I-eat-there' dilemma. "It's confusing if you're seated among a bunch of ladies who're constantly tucking into paneer tikkas, spring rolls, manchurians, and you maintain a 'No, I don't want' to all the waiters. And for the main course, if I pick up only the salads, I know I'll be the butt of all jokes within seconds. They'll laugh out loud, 'Lo, ab inko dieting ka shauk chadha hai.' So, I indulge in the buffet, then starve myself later of food as well as self-esteem," rues Sunita Arora, 35.
Corporate mess?
"Especially foreign associates - they happily order dal makhani and butter chicken, and if I stick to my continental salad resolution, I look like an idiot. It does affect my professional bond, so I end up loading on the Mughlai main course," cribs Saloni Dhingra, 27. "Even if you're dining with a boss who loves to eat, you can't say 'Look, I believe in healthy eating,' and steer clear of the heavy six-course meal," explains Malini Khanna, 30.
So next time you encounter a friend, relative or acquaintance who's on a diet and doesn't want to go out, don't blame them - they're just being wise!
