Hmmm. I don't know, yes and no.

With food, temptation may be a good thing

Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:31pm EDT
By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While dieters often banish tempting foods from their kitchens, a new study suggests that keeping some sweet treats around might be a good way to build willpower.

In three tests that presented female college students with tempting foods, researchers found that the women exerted greater self-control when they had previously been confronted with a sweet treat they had access to -- rather than just pictures or smells.

The implication, say the researchers, is that challenging yourself to resist temptation may be more effective than banning all sweets and snack foods from the house.

"The main message is that banishing food temptations may not be the best way to limit the amount eaten. Tempting foods can actually increase willpower," explained lead author Kelly Geyskens, an assistant professor of marketing at the Lessius Hogeschool in Antwerpen, Belgium.

It may seem counterintuitive to keep a food "threat" around, and dieters are often advised to keep junk food out of the house, noted Geyskens. But, she told Reuters Health, the idea is that tempting foods help trigger a person's "self-control strategies."

"When a new temptation situation subsequently arises, these activated strategies will be activated again and will be strengthened," Geyskens explained.

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However, she added, long-term studies are still needed to prove that a little temptation truly is the best diet strategy.

More at:
http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USTRE48N6S520080924