You know already that using smaller plates can help you slim down. But new research from the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell Universityfound that’s it not just what you're eating that matters—where you're eating, how long you spend eating, and what you talk about during your meal can help you lose weight, too, Fox News reports.

Researchers analyzed the family dinner rituals and BMIs of 190 parents, average age 41, and children.  And they found tons of interesting info! First, parents who dined with their kids around a kitchen or dining room table weighed significantly less than those who chowed down in front of the TV. Next, parents who remained at the table until everyone finished eating weighed less than those who got up sooner. And finally, adults who reported "talking meaningfully about their day" at dinner weighed less than those who didn’t connect with others over conversation.

So what's the mealtime moral? It does suggest that dinner routines matter.