Ditching straws and iced water with meals makes for healthier eating, says Oxford University psychology professor Charles Spence.
He says mind tricks can help as enjoyment of food is largely emotional.
Drinking with straws reduces aroma and leads to drinking too much. Iced water with meals numbs taste buds and can lead to eating too much.
Spence said: "Stronger aroma and more texture all help your brain decide when it's had enough.
"Inhale the aroma of your food frequently. This is where the majority of the pleasure resides."
His book, Gastrophysics, recommends smaller, red plates as research shows people eat more with big plates and red triggers avoidance in the brain so diners feel less hungry.
Eat from a heavy bowl in the lap to trick the mind into thinking it contains more. To eat slower and so consume less he suggests using chopsticks in the nondominant hand.
Research shows eating while watching TV leads people to inattentively eat 15% more. Other tips: hide food, eat smaller portions, drink water before meals and do not eat alone.
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