READ MORE: I discovered a hotel breakfast hack that allows you to eat at five-star hotels for just £4 - and you don't even have to stay

Buffet breakfasts at hotels are known for their extravagant excess.

From scrambled eggs to fresh croissants, it seems they provide an endless stream of food.

Dr Kelly L Haws, an expert in consumer behaviour, says overeating is so common at breakfast buffets due to the 'variety effect'.

This means that more choice on offer encourages people to eat even more.

She added: 'Self-serving leads to oversized portions as people misjudge serving sizes, take more food, consume more food, and feel less guilty about wasting that food.'

This is exacerbated, she explains, by the 'vacation mindset where indulgence feels justified'.

But hotels are aware of this trend and, as a result, have sneaky ways to skirt around the issue and try to get guests to eat less.

There's lots to look out for if you want to get your money's worth at a hotel breakfast - here are some of the sneaky ways buffets try to reduce the amount you eat...

From scrambled eggs to fresh croissants, it seems buffet breakfasts provide an endless stream of food

And an expert in consumer behaviour says overeating is so common at breakfast buffets due to the 'variety effect' - where there is so much choice on offer

Where did all the big plates go?

You might be looking to indulge on holiday - and for lots of us, piling a plate high with eggs, toast and muffins is the way to go.

But that's harder to do when the plate itself is smaller, and that's what lots of hotels are doing to try to decrease how much guests eat.

Lots of hotels use this tactic for their morning offerings, The Sun reported.

Made-to-order

Some prefer their breakfast made to order, and many hotels offer stations where you can request meals such as omelettes or crepes.

It's a great way hotels can make sure not to waste food, as their options are made on the spot.

Cut down on croissants

Sweet options including croissants, muffins and cakes are popular at hotel buffets.

For many, sweet treats in the morning - mini-muffins, pains au chocolat or cakes included - are a real part of the holiday treat.

But lots of hotels have reduced their cake, pastry and muffin options, the BBC has reported.

You might be looking to indulge on holiday - and for lots of us, piling a plate high with eggs, toast and muffins is the way to go. But hotels are clever, and have ways to discourage overeating

There's less to indulge holidaymakers if there isn't a seemingly endless supply of French treats.

Pre-set portions

This one hardly comes as a surprise.

One sneaky way hotels control how much their guests eat is by serving foods in pre-set portion sizes.

You might receive yoghurt in small pots, rather than served from a giant bowl.

Or bread might come in slices, rather than ready for you to cut for yourself.

It's another way you're convinced to eat less.

Watch what's on your plate

Many all-you-can-eat buffets like to gently remind you not to overindulge yourself - with polite suggestions not to take more than you can eat.

And hotel breakfasts are no exception.

Made-to-order stations are a great way hotels can make sure not to waste food, as their options are prepared on the spot

Signage telling you not to waste food is a clear but subtle way of reminding guests to keep their portions reasonable.

I can't carry it all!

Large trays used to offer guests the option of filling up on several dishes at once - fruit and granola in one bowl, a full English on a plate, several juices as well as a coffee could be carried to your table in one go.

But there's only so much a person can carry on a single plate.

By no longer offering trays at hotel buffets, you're discouraged from eating quite as much food - you're restricted to what you can carry.

Set up for success

Like supermarkets, buffets are set up to draw you in in a particular order.

Have you ever noticed healthier options and fruit displays - which can go off quicker - will be near the front of a buffet?

Meanwhile, expensive options - such as smoked salmon, for example - are often hidden near the back.

How the breakfast buffet at hotels is designed to make you eat LESS