Chewing gum and weight loss?

The Univerisity of Rhode Island has found that when subjects chewed gum in the morning, their calorie intake was decreased by 68 cals per day (equivalent to 10 mins of stairmaster).

• Subjects reported feeling less hungry when compared to when they did not chew gum, particularly in males.


• Gum chewers burned 5% more energy than non gum chewers.


• Gum chewers also reported reduced weariness and less percieved effort to do things, as compared to when they did not chew gum.

So to chew or not to chew?

• CHEW! It's good for your teeth and your butt!


• Chew gum while your working and working out!!


• AND if you chewed gum while doing it, you wouldn't even find it an effort at all!

Eat Smart

As part of my research last year, I looked into satiety- or rather, what makes you feel full and satisfied. Several studies have found that eating soup as a starter actually decreases hunger, increases fullness and decreases the energy intake at you next meal!

Studies have shown that eating soup ~30 minutes before your main meal will result in a 20% decrease in the amount of kilojoules consumed at the meal. Soup worked better than drinking the same amount in water alone!

My novel study looked into eating a garden salad before eating the main meal, and guess what? It also had lasting satiety effects on the subsequent meal. Those who ate the garden salad prior to eating the main meal, consumed less calories than those who ate bread, cookies and even potatoes.

So next time you look at a menu, order the soup or salad first, it will help you to reduce the amount of energy consumed and help you to achieve your weightloss goal..... just go easy on the cream, people!

Stuck for a recipe? See below.