You are HOW you eat....

We all have our own meal habits. Never realised that? Take a look around you. Or, better, start with yourself.
Whether it's never being able to say NO to second helpings, or stabbing your peas one by one; the way we eat is influenced by a number of factors, including our beliefs abut food and our upbringing.
And these routines can reveal a lot about your personality and your approach towards food.

Here's what your eating habits reveal about you - and your waistline...

What you do: CHOP UP YOUR SPAGHETTI

Why you do it:
Cutting food into little pieces is something we associate with feeling secure, as it's what our parents did when we were kids to make dinners more "friendly". If you take a knife and fork to your pasta, you're probably someone who is happiest in your comfort zones, but can feel socially anxious.

What it means for your waist:
Cutting your food into small pieces is actually a good habit. It will make you eat more slowly, so you'll feel full sooner and eat less - plus bite-size portions are easier to digest.

What you do: NEVER FINISH YOUR PLATE

Why you do it:
Because food was rationed during and after the war, our parents grew up feeling obliged to eat everything on their plates. But our generation associates a finished meal with greed. If you always leave some food on your plate, you're sending a signal that you're in control of your appetite.

What it means for your waist:
Too many people stop eating when their plate is empty rather than when they feel full, so leaving the odd morsel is a good habit to get into. If you leave food because you're stuffed, then perhaps you're piling it too high...?!

What you do: GO BACK FOR SECOND HELPINGS

Wy you do it:
Most parents encourage their kids to have a second helping, and as an adult it is often seen as a compliment to whoever made the food. If you always have seconds, you're either a people pleaser, or you don't want the pleasure of eating to end, no matter how stuffed you feel.

What it means for your waist:
Not only are you consuming double the calories, you're also getting out of the habit of listening to your body's signals when you're full. Next time you want seconds, wait 10 minutes and see if you're still hungry. This is how long it takes for your brain to register that you're full, and the chances are you'll go off the idea.

What you do: EAT ONE FLAVOUR AT A TIME

Why you do it:
Kids often go round their plate, eating their favourite flavour first before moving on to the rest. If this sounds like you, you're quite a meticulous person who likes things on your own terms.

What it means for your waist:
While this behaviour is slightly obsessive, it's not necessarily a bad habit. Studies show if you're faced with lots of one flavour, your senses become bored of it quicker and you eat less of that food. Next time you're tucking into chicken, chips and peas, attack the peas first, them chomp the chicken and you'll probably eat fewer chips!

What you do: USE A TEASPOON FOR DESSERT

Why you do it:
We associate tiny spoons with dainty appetites, so even if you use one to eat a giant slab of chocolate cake, you'll feel better about yourself.

What it means for your waist:
Anything that makes you take longer over your food, like eating with a teaspoon or even chopsticks, means you'll feel more satisfied and therefore less inclined to overeat. Bear in mind, though, that a whole tub of Ben & Jerry's is still a lot of ice cream, whatever utensil you use!

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