He also wrote the book, Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think.

"The average person during the course of an average day makes over 200 food-related decisions," says Wansink, author of Mindless Eating.

In contrast to a physiological understanding of hunger, Mindless Eating argues that much of one's hunger is psychologically-determined.

The encouraging premise behind Mindless Eating is that the obesigenic environment that people have set up for themselves in their homes and at work can be reversed.

Instead of deprivation dieting, Mindless Eating recommends a person choose three small changes in their environment that would lead them to eat 200-300 fewer calories a day.

Get instant portion control by using small bowls, plates, and cups, says Brian Wansink, PhD, author of Mindless Eating.

Late last year, a little book called "Mindless Eating" started appearing in bookstores.

After reading the first few chapters of "Mindless Eating," I called Mr. Wansink, an energetic 46-year-old Iowan, to talk about his research.

Toward the end of "Mindless Eating," there is a short passage making it clear that Mr. Wansink's work is about far more than just food.

(The book jacket for "Mindless Eating" notes that he "enjoys both French food and French fries each week.")