Need a reason to say no to the sweets tray? Indulging in just one small chocolate truffle can induce cravings for more sugary and fatty foods, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.
In this study, participants were offered a chocolate truffle and either enjoyed it or resisted eating it. Then they were offered a variety of other indulgences like pizza, potato chips, or ice cream.
The researchers asked the participants about their desire for treats and other more expensive purchases and recorded the participants' behaviour.
People who ate the chocolate truffle desired ice cream, pizza, and potato chips more than people who resisted eating it.
Eating one small chocolate served as a trigger for more treats as well as some expensive non-food indulgences like a new computer or fine jewellery.
People who ate the truffle desired the status products significantly more than those who had to resisted it, say the authors of this study.
You may think that letting yourself have one samll treat will stop cravings for more sweets or fatty foods. But this new study suggests that small indulgences open the doorfor more cravings and overeating.
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