Does plate size really matter when it comes to watching your weight? Or is it a silly trick your stomach probably won't fall for?

As it turns out, in this case, size does matter. Researchers found that when you dish up your meal, you're likely to clean your plate, regardless of serving size. And when you use a large serving spoon and a large plate or bowl, you're more likely to help yourself to over 50% more food than if you use smaller utensils and dishes. To avoid doubling the self-sabotage, think petite. Petite plates and petite spoons mean petite you.

It may be an optical illusion. The same amount of food that completely fills a small bowl may look lost in a large one, prompting you to spoon in -- and eat -- more. You also may find yourself more mentally satisfied if you eat from a small plate that's heaping full than from a large plate with a lonely-looking entrée in the middle of it, even though both have the same amount of food. Try using salad plates for dinner, martini glasses for ice cream, coffee cups for cereal, and petite salad forks and dessert spoons for all your meals. It may drive you or your family a little crazy at first, but you'll get used to it. And isn't it more fun to be unique?