The memory of eating vs. reality of eating

It might seem intuitive that hours after eating, hunger should be a function of how much you ate. However, this cool eating study found the opposite: 2-3 hours after eating a bowl of soup, participants felt less hungry if they had seen an image of a large bowl of soup (versus a smaller bowl) before eating. This effect was sustained regardless of how much soup they had actually eaten – which the researchers manipulated with a trick bowl that could fill or empty without the participants knowing. These findings suggest that while the amount you eat may influence immediate feelings of hunger and satiety, it’s memory that takes control by the time you’re ready to for the next meal.