Lose weight without changing what you eat with a 'small lifestyle tweak anyone can make'

Eating from plates and bowls that are a certain colour can trick the brain into eating less, according to nutritionist Guna Bilande of Weight Loss Riga.

She said this works best if picking neon-colour plates, particularly ones that are bright blue or green, as these help suppress the appetite.

Guna explained: "The unusual colours create a visual disconnect that can trick your brain into thinking that the food is less appealing.

"This can lead to reduced hunger and smaller portion sizes. Our brains are wired to find certain colours of food more appealing and by using neon-coloured plates, we are disrupting those natural cues."

Those looking to get started should try eating from a blue plate as this can have the most effective results.

The expert continued: "There is a body of evidence suggesting that the colour blue, in particular, has a strong appetite-suppressing effect.

"This is why you rarely see blue foods in nature. By using blue or green neon plates, we can take advantage of this psychological trick to help manage portion sizes and reduce overall calorie intake."

Research published by Virginia Commonwealth University echoed this and suggested blue does not have an "automatic response towards our appetite", making it the best colour to suppress our hunger.

Of course, picking a colourful plate alone will not be enough for the pounds to drop off and it is important to serve balanced meals and listen to hunger cues.

The expert suggested "using these plates to serve smaller portions of high-calorie foods while filling the rest of your plate with fruits and vegetables".

Also, "pay attention to your hunger cues and eat slowly, savouring each bite. The visual impact of the neon colours can help you feel satisfied with less food".

Guna continued: "Neon plateware can be a useful tool in managing portion sizes and reducing overall food intake.

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"The bright, unnatural colours can disrupt your brain's usual cues that encourage eating, making food look less appealing.

"This can be particularly effective for those struggling with portion control and mindless eating. You don't need to invest in costly products or complicated diets.

"Just switching to neon-coloured plates can make a significant difference," she added. "It's a small, manageable change that can easily fit into anyone's lifestyle."

Pairing healthy eating with regular exercise is key for losing weight and maintaining results, and a nutritionist shares the "best" workout routine to tone legs and burn fat over 40.