Beware the Fast Food!

It may seem counterintuitive, but opting for the smaller portion may be leading down the path of weight gain.

The small side of French fries, for example, has a big impact on the waistline.

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people ate more food from a bowl marked “small” than they did when that same portion was served in a “medium” size bowl.

What’s worse is that even the smallest menu item often provides two or more USDA-recommended servings, which means that you may be consuming hundreds of extra calories each day.

Be aware of the smaller, 100-calorie pre-packages snacks, which can add up and result in overeating and excessive weight gain.

To keep portions in control, make a habit of measuring out portions, or learn to eyeball sizes, rather than relying on menu descriptions.