Stare At Those Cookies and Cakes and You Might Eat Healthier???/

Alright I am sorry, sorry, sorry! It has been two weeks and one week with no computer and then this week just so busy that I have not been up on my blogging, commenting and dropping. I have got to get back in the groove and I will soon. I did see this article in the www.dailymail.co.uk and loved it. I want this to work for me but I am not so sure as when I see chocolate I obsess over it until I devour it. What do you think?

By: Fiona Macrae

“Have your cake... and avoid it: The sight of treats encourages healthy eating
Women who want to lose weight can have their cake – as long as they don’t eat it, scientists believe.
A study found that showing weight-conscious women pictures of sweet treats strengthens their resolve to eat healthily.
The finding suggests that glossy adverts designed to make cakes, chocolate and desserts irresistible may actually have the opposite effect.
It also means that the secret to losing weight could be as simple as decorating your fridge door with pictures of forbidden tasty treats.

Dutch psychologists asked 54 female students to look at a picture of either a slice of chocolate cake or a flower under the guise of a memory test.
The Utrecht University researchers then questioned the students about any plans to eat more healthily before offering them a choice between a chocolate or oatmeal cookie.
Women shown the cake picture made healthy eating a higher priority than those shown the flower.
They were also significantly more likely to pick the healthier option of the oatmeal cookie, New Scientist reports.
Researcher Floor Kroese said feelings of guilt may help strengthen resolve against temptation.
She said: ‘Food temptations do not always trigger indulgence.
‘It seems that seeing a food temptation reminded people of their goal to watch their weight and helped them act accordingly.’
She said that sticking pictures of tempting foods on the fridge door may help to bring weight-watching goals to mind.
But pictures pinned up should be of the dieter’s favourite forbidden treat, as anything less could backfire and lead to a raid on the biscuit tin.
Ayelet Fishbach, a professor of behavioural studies at the University of Chicago, agreed that looking at pictures of cakes and other sweet treats could benefit slimmers.
‘In moderation, this positive impact of food temptations will overcome the negative impact – the urge to indulge,’ she said.

Previous research has suggested that it is possible to eat chocolate and lose weight, as long as it is early in the day.
Women who ate a big breakfast, complete with a generous slab of chocolate, lost more weight than those who started the day with a small breakfast.
They were also less likely to pile the pounds back on.
The researchers said starting the day with a sweet treat could curb later cravings for calorie-rich foods. “

19 comments:

  1. yeah I think this would backfire for me. haha Whenever I see sweet I crave them hardcore. I don't know how this would work. =/ I don't like to be teased anyway. lol

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  2. I think I'd rather practice the "all things in moderation" approach rather than look at a picture but I'll give it a try and see if it works!

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  3. Health Nut:

    No cakes and no cookies! Dang! Those are my two favorites.

    Thank a bunch.

    Happy trails.

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  4. oh, thanks for reminding, i believe in this. i used to really have big breakfast when i was in philippines, but somehow, my eating habit changed here and i eat very light breakfast, but i know, eating heavier breakfast is healthier than eating heavy dinner.

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  5. Maybe that's why I am drawn to watching the Food Network while I am dieting....and here I was just thinking I was a crazy masochist. :-/

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  6. Don't know if that would work for me...somehow it doesn't seem like it would make sense???

    Cheers

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  7. I do believe I'd actually gain weight just looking at pictures of cake! This would not be a good plan for me! LOL

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  8. That is interesting. I think that would have the opposite effect on me.

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  9. I don't even have a "biscuit tin"!!! I feel so deprived now.

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  10. I don't believe it. Just thinking about the cake is giving me a craving. If I want something, I eat it. I just try to limit myself.

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  11. Hi Heidi,
    my youngest girl who is now 35, wow, please remember I was 17 when she was born. I am old but not ancient yet!!

    Anyway as I was saying my you remind me of my youngest daughter very much. She is the ultimate health food and exercise person. She is absolutely stunning and still looks as if she's never had a baby in her life and she has 4 boys.

    She's in training right now for a 13 mile run in October for Cancer awareness. I too was was a lean mean hot mama machine when I was much younger.

    But, I told her just yesterday, hey I'm 52 and I've gone through menopause, raised 5 kids, have 6 grandchildren, and I do eat fairly healthy. But, if I want my chocolate I have earned the right to go for it guilt free!!

    I am not thin but I am not obese either. The most crucial thing at this stage of the game is to stay active and watch those cholesterol loaded foods.

    Great post and yes it is good to see you back!! I hope you have a wonderful evening!!:-)))

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  12. I can't just stare at yummy cakes and biscuits. They are my favourites! :P

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  13. Sometime ya just gotta give yourself a little treat. But to really stay fit and healthy, you need to count your calories and make your calories count.

    peace,
    mike
    livelife365

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  14. Hellooo Heidi,

    Hmmm, starting the day with a sweet treat could curb later cravings...Gotta try this. Thanks for sharing. :-)

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  15. If only I had stared longer at the Neopolitan Pizzas that were served at work today!!! I am going to be paying for it over the next week!!

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  16. Guess what, Heidi? Now it's my turn. My laptop crashed recently due to some virus attack! I'm now using someone else's computer! : (

    What! Look at those yummy cakes and don't eat them? I don't think it will work for me! I prefer to see no pictures of the cakes so that I am not tempted to get a real cake to eat!

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  17. Wow that is really surprising data Heidi. I would not have guessed that about cookies and cake images actually leading to weight loss. Also welcome back!

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  18. no cake and cookies? oh my that's hard for me! by the way thanks for sharing

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