Women who are trying to lose weight or stick to a diet might be wise to dine in the company of men instead of heading out for a girls night. According to a new study, women eat less when dining with men and more with other women.

Tests conducted by psychologists showed that women eating with a single male companion - whether that is their husband, date, colleague, or a friend - are more likely to order a salad than a steak. However, when eating with another woman, women tend to pig out.

In mixed-gender groups, women chose food choices at the lower end of the caloric scale, but the more men in the group, the fewer the calories. In all-female groups, women are more and consumed more calories.

Researchers believe that the choice may be subconsciously controlled by a desire to signal attractiveness, which apparently small portions do.

While women chose their meals based on who they ate with, men were found to simply eat what they want no matter who they are with.

Results of the study were published in the latest edition of Appetite journal.