According to Brian Wansink, author of “MIndless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think” ($16.50 from Amazon), people make around 250 food choices per day. They can be as obvious as skim milk or non-fat, or as inconspicuous as whether to drink juice from a short, wide glass (more) or tall, narrow glass (less).

A summary of Brian’s best tips can help save hundreds of calories per day:

1. Stock up smart. Buying bulk packaging at discount stores leads to eating 48% more. Forty-eight percent!

2. Keep it short and pace yourself. The more people you eat with, the longer you’re at the table and, most likely, still eating. To lose weight, eat with the smallest group possible and keep pace with the pickiest eater. You’ll save calories AND time.

3. Out of sight, out of mind. Put your food on your plate in the kitchen. You’ll eat around 14% less than if the food’s sitting on the table in front of you.

4. Beat the buffet. Limit your plate to two items at a time. Even with multiple trips, you’ll still wind up eating less.

5. Turn it off and tune in. Don’t watch TV while eating. Entertainment “mutes” the signal that’s supposed to tell you when you’ve had enough, and besides, your brain won’t really register that you’ve actually had a meal.

6. Know the why and wherefore. Watch out for emotional eating: don’t have a Ho-Ho when what you really want is a hug.