How to Not Over-Order Takeout (and Therefore Lose Weight)

by Lexi Petronis, Glamour

I love when restaurants have online order forms for takeout. It makes the whole process completely easy and convenient, don't you think? Sure! But according to a new study, it may also make it completely easy to order more calories.

Ryan McDevitt, Assistant Professor from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester and one of the study's authors, says that after analyzing the orders placed via the Internet at a pizza chain, research showed something interesting: online customers would over-order.

See more:Cute Boots for Every Budget

"We concluded that individuals over-order online because they have fewer inhibitions in more-private settings," he says. "Alone in your home, you don't face the same judgment about your food choices that you would when dining out with others or placing an order with a waiter. The best example of this phenomenon we found in the orders we studied: online customers increased their double and triple bacon orders more than ten times as much as their double and triple orders for vegetable toppings."

The emphasis in his quote is mine--that's a lot of bacon. According to the research, pizza that was ordered online ended up being 15 percent more complicated and containing 6 percent more calories compared to orders placed on the phone or in person.

See more:60 Winter Nail Polish Ideas

But, says McDevitt, that doesn't mean you have to give up ordering online: "Because a lack of social interaction leads consumers to order higher-calorie items online, the best way to avoid overindulging would be to bring back some semblance of social engagement," he says. "For instance, place your online order around other family members. Even looking at a picture of someone whose opinion you care about may help--one study found that the presence of a mannequin head in a cafeteria prompted diners to eat less."

Family and photos, check. Mannequin head--well, no. But interesting to think about--I know I will be paying more attention to what I order the next time I check off boxes on an online food form!

What kind of food orders do you place online?

More from Glamour:
The Best Coat for Your Body
10 Hot Date-Night Outfits (According to Guys)
10 Wardrobe Essentials Every Woman Should Own
28 Ways Sex and the City Would Be Different If It Were On TV Now