The 3 Bite Rule

Remember that book that came out a few years ago, “French Women Don’t Get Fat”? Say what you will about the French, but the fact remains that French women are typically very slender and healthy. One of the key points of the book was that French women still indulge in pastries and breads and delicacies – but they know their limits and apply other strategies and routines to retain their sleek physiques. This is all well and good – but how do you know exactly how much to indulge in? Where do you draw the line? If you have trouble figuring out exactly how much you can get away with, the three-bite rule may be the perfect fit for you.

It’s simple, easy, and guilt-free. You can eat your favorite foods, but the quantity will be so small that it won’t impact your waistline. It’s exactly how it sounds – just take three bites of that dessert or favorite dish that’s tempting you. There are a few other rules, of course – you won’t make much progress if you liberally apply the three-bite rule, taking three bites of everything on the table, or if you decide to take abnormally large bites. To make it work, just think about your eating actions before you take them. Do you really want another cookie, or would you feel better if you had celery sticks and low-fat peanut butter, a handful of air-popped popcorn, or a couple of grapes?

However, let’s say you’re at a wedding or family event. Do you really want to sacrifice a delicious taste of your Aunt Sue’s devil’s food cake, which you only get a crack at a couple times per year? You can still indulge this craving – the research, in fact, points to the idea that indulging our cravings actually prevents overeating – by eating only three bites. Share the rest with a friend, feed it to your dog, or simply serve yourself a very, very tiny piece. You will be able to savor the taste of your favorite foods within the safe confines of a limit – three bites. The three-bite rule isn’t for everyone – some people may find themselves having a lot of trouble stopping at just three bites. But it’s a great rule of thumb for dieters who do best when presented with rules and limits that guide the way to weight loss success.

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