8 "Scary" Food Myths—Busted!

Nutrition "Scare" #5: Thinking About Food Will Make You Obsessed With Eating!

Think about other things: Your friends. Your 401(k). The game. Grandma’s dentures. Anything that will get your mind off food, right? Well, no: According to Dutch researchers, thinking about snacks and meals can actually help you stay lean. The study found that when asked questions like, "What will you do if you get hungry two hours before your next meal?" thinner participants were better able to give healthy responses, like "eat a handful of nuts." While fantasizing about how many onion rings you could feasibly fit on a double bacon cheeseburger is probably not going to keep the pounds at bay, taking a proactive approach to your diet by thinking ahead will. Try planning nutritious meals for the week or keeping healthy snacks like fruit and nuts on hand to ward off hunger.