The goodies are coming, the goodies are coming!

Yes, holiday season is around the corner. But no matter if the season is before you, if you are smack in the middle of it, or trying to recover from the seasonal blitz, there will always be tempting treats calling your name. Leftover Halloween candy will fill bowls and candy dishes until they are immediately replaced with the next traditional favorite. And don’t think you are safe after the first of the year. Cupid will be waiting with his sharp little chocolate arrow! Then there is that silly rabbit. And, what about the 3:00 pick-me-up you need everyday? Will it ever end? What can be done to prevent the extra sugar and fat from sneaking into your day-to-day diet?

Numerous studies performed by food psychologist Brian Wansink, Ph.D, confirm that “out of sight is out of mind”. Temptation is hard to fight, and readily available goodies are just that – a temptation that is often too hard to resist! In one study, secretaries were provided chocolate candy. Once group had chocolate in clear containers on their desk, while another group had chocolate in opaque containers on their desk. The results? The secretaries ate twice as many candies from the clear containers on their desk as from the opaque containers. On top of that, when the candy was hidden or further away, the secretaries were twice as likely to say they forgot about the candy all together.

So, what is the good news in all of this? Keep high-calorie, unhealthy treats out of sight! This will help limit visions of sugar plums from dancing in your head (and eventually on your hips). You may even consider a reverse trick. Try keeping healthy foods “in sight and on your mind”! By keeping grapes or baby carrots readily available and easily accessible, you may be more likely to satisfy your snacking habit with healthy options. Not only will this help you fit more fruits and veggies into your day, it may also assist you in replacing unnecessary “empty calories” nutrient-rich, reduced-calorie snacks.

By: Mandy Conrad

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