The Daily Temptation Diet

tidbits that tantalizeMaybe a Bit Less Temptation Would be Good...

Just when you thought you had it all figured out. Just when you'd scrubbed every cabinet of the tiniest tidbits of delectably sweet morsels. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the kitchen again...

A new study turns your dietary dilemma upside down.

Researchers from the Lessius Hogeschool in Antwerpen, Belgium have a different take on life's little temptations. Contrary to the popular advice to keep your kitchens cleared of all tempting foods, the new study says a little temptation is a good thing.

One standard strategy for dieters is to avoid all temptation. And, at first look, it seems quite reasonable. If there is no tempting treat on the counter you're more likely to actually crack open that bottle of grapefruit juice. But, if a plate of brownies stands between you and the frig, well...

The new study says we've got it all wrong. The scientists say that without some temptation, dieters never learn any real self-discipline. As a result, when they are later confronted with a food that's off limits, they have no "self-control strategies" available to help them resist. So, instead of staying the course, they pull up a chair and dig in.

But, say the scientists, if we keep some tempting foods around all the time we learn to resist. Then, when we're faced with other temptations, we can draw on the strategies we've been practicing.

Really, it sounds pretty good - unless the temptation happens to be that plate of brownies...

To read more about the study, see this from Reuters. To find fabulous, fresh whole foods, see this from The World's Healthiest Foods.