Should You Cave Into Food Cravings?

Are you craving a cookie? Eat it! Research shows that stifling a craving just makes it worse. In this video, Robin Miller, MD, discusses how picking your battles—and eating sensibly—can help you stay on track even if you eat the occasional treat.

Transcript

00:00

Hi, I'm doctor Miller. I've got a help tip you might be surprised to hear.

00:06

Are you craving a cookie? Eat it, research shows that cycling a craving just makes it worse. So having one cookie now, might

00:14

save you from having 10 later. In one study female college students were asked to sit alone and either think about chocolate, avoid

00:21

thinking about chocolate, or think about whatever they wanted. Afterwards they sampled different chocolates, the diet focus women who are

00:28

told to avoid thinking about chocolate, eight more. The key is to pick your battle, you can allow yourself an occasional

00:34

sensibly size treat and don't feel bad about it, in fact if you do regret it, you're more likely to go overboard with your sweet tooth.

00:42

For more ways to live better, check out all our health tips right here.