Salty snacks sing a symphony of my name after hours spent working, and I know I'm not the only one. Before too long, I've scored myself a stomachache from wolfing down more kale chips (or more often, cheese fries) than my body was actually asking for. According to
a recent study in the scientific journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, using your nondominant hand when grazing can help prevent overeating.
Apparently using one's dominant hand makes it easier to go on autopilot. This can be said about most tasks, eating included. So by using the hand you usually keep on reserve, you slow down and allow your body to catch up by feeling its actual fullness. Although this advice might not be as practical during meals (ew, spilling stuff everywhere at restaurants, no thanks), it might lend to consuming smarter portions and less food comas while otherwise mindlessly munching on the couch.
How do you think this might affect your personal eating habits? How might an ambidextrous person go about trying this approach? [via
CNN]
Recommend
Comments (9)
I thought I was weird for snacking with my non-dominant hand. xD I'm not sure if it's had an effect on my eating habits, though..
I find that I snack when I'm bored. I am equally talented in consuming my favorite cookies with either hand, so I think I am much better off with looking for something constructive to do than to snack, if I am concerned about my caloric intake. Or I count out/measure my snack onto a napkin or small bowl and put away the rest instead of eating from the package. The ambidextrous person--might I suggest making snacking more challenging by implementing the use of chopsticks?
@babybug329@xanga - Oh yeah. Totally dig that chopsticks idea. I will definitely have to try it, haha.
Oh man... I want some guacamole.
Yeah, if I tried this, there would be crumbs in my bra or food all over my shirt
what about ambidextrous people?
That's a clever idea.
I just do this for hygienic reasons. I touch most things with my right hand, so my logic is that my left hand wont be as germy as my right one
good idea