The Last Bite Test
Insight
The signal that says "enough" arrives about twenty minutes after the plate does. Most meals are finished in fifteen — which means the decision to stop is usually made by the empty plate, not the body.
Why it works
Satiety runs on a delay, so speed outruns the signal every time. A deliberate pause mid-meal lets the message arrive before the serving is gone, and eating slowly turns out to be a portion tool disguised as a pleasure.
Practical takeaway
At your next meal, put the fork down halfway through and wait two minutes. Then decide how much of the rest you actually want — not how much is left.
Good question to ask someone
What tells you it's time to stop — your body, or the empty plate?