Given the average restaurant appetizer packs between 400-600 calories, and that bread baskets beckon before appetizers even arrive, and that decadent mains and desserts festoon all menus, if you show up to a restaurant hungry because you skimped all day long and between the bread, an appetizer, a more indulgent hunger-influenced main that you're more likely to finish, and whatever daytime calorie savings you racked up will likely begone even before your main course arrives. On the other hand, show up not particularly hungry and suddenly the bread's less tempting, there'll be no need for an appetizer, your main is likely to be less indulgent (and perhaps not finished), and dessert'll be easier to share.
Bottom line for most meals out - if you save your calories for dinner, your overall daily total may well wind up higher than if you don't.
