Along with the shrinking value of the dollar come shrinking plates of food, as restaurateurs learn how to sneak smaller portions under your nose. A consultant at one food wholesaler has his customers doing the following:

• Using smaller plates (so reduced portions look the same size as before)
• Using lighter-weight utensils (so food feels heavier on a fork)
• Cooking shrimp skewered (so it doesn't curl and therefore appears larger)

While nobody wants to see his buck bang less, portions at many restaurants are already so large that this may be a blessing in disguise for people trying to lose weight. Besides, isn't one age-old dieting tip to use smaller plates so that, psychologically, you feel you're getting more? [via Lara R.]