The trick to avoiding a candy binge? Surprising as this sounds: Put the minipacks away, and take a small handful from a big bag instead.
Treats in small Halloween-size packages can trick even careful eaters into overindulging. In a recent study, people concerned about their waistlines ate more high-calorie snacks when given small bags instead of big ones.
Persuasive Packets
Why? In a related study, minipacks of foods like M&M’s and little cookies led people to go overboard because they viewed the smaller portions as "healthier" versions of high-calorie treats. And careful eaters were less likely to even open big bags of candy, unlike snack packs. Which means small bags may do a better job of luring you into high-calorie munching in the first place. (Tuck away the candy and satisfy your need for something sweet with this quick EatingWell recipe: "Cocoa-Nut" Bananas.)
Caveat for the Unconcerned
One alert: According to the study, minis don’t seem to make everyone overeat -- only those who are concerned about managing their weight. People who weren’t concerned about gaining weight munched more snacks from large bags than small ones. Either way, what it all boils down to is portion control. And practicing this eating trick can make you a master at it.
Video: Prevent sweets and treats from haunting your waistline. Watch this video to learn how to make a sweet-salty-and-satisfying snack.
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