More variety reliably leads to more eating. Research by Barbara Rolls on sensory-specific satiety shows you get “full” of one flavor but remain hungry for others. Participants ate 60% more with multiple courses than a single course of equal palatability. The buffet, the tasting menu, the holiday spread—all exploit this mechanism. This explains why simplified eating often succeeds where elaborate plans fail.
This companion covers sensory-specific satiety science, why variety increases eating, the modern food environment, and using this knowledge. (4 min read)