The effects of plate size and colour on portion size selections and healthy food choices

The relationship between portion sizes and lifestyle-related health issues raises important questions about how visual cues affect food choices. This research aimed to examine how plate size and color influence food selections from an online café-style menu. A total of 232 female participants were randomly assigned to view one of four menus showcasing meals served on small or large red or green plates.

Participants were asked to choose one main dish, one side, and one dessert, each available in small, medium, or large portions. Food items were classified as either ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ for analysis. Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure dietary restraint.

The findings indicated that neither the plate size nor its color significantly affected overall portion-size choices or the proportion of healthy foods selected. Moreover, dietary restraint did not moderate these outcomes. Despite these primary findings, exploratory analyses suggested trends worthy of further investigation: participants showed a preference for smaller side portions on small plates, a greater inclination toward healthy desserts on red plates, and distinct selections of main dishes based on dietary restraint and plate color.

In summary, while the study concludes that plate size and color have limited impact on food choices in an online ordering context, it recommends that future research focus on specific menu sections to better understand these trends. [NPID: Visual cues, food choice, plate size, color]

Year: 2026

Reference: Mittal, S., Kemps, E., & Prichard, I. (2026). The effects of plate size and colour on portion size selections and healthy food choices. Food Quality and Preference, 144, 105991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2026.105991

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