Sugar Trumps Science

Think about all the diets you've been on. Well, maybe not all of them or this could take a while. You probably bought the book, watched the DVD or called the toll-free number "in the next twenty minutes" after being persuaded by the smiling, svelte infomercial success stories. Count the times you joined a gym, only to drop out. Those fees alone could probably feed an entire Guatemalan village for life. Apparently we've been doing it all wrong. Scientists have published a study that proves the best way to cut calories is to think about calories. Let's say you want a burrito. According to these lab coats, if you think enough about wanting a burrito, even mime yourself eating one, you'll trick your brain into no longer craving said burrito. It thinks it's satisfied even though nary a dollop of guacamole has passed your lips. I'm always open to possibilities but haven't found this to be true in my life. If I think about chocolate, for example, I will obsess about it until I actually have a real live bit resting on my tongue, sending my taste buds into a state of sheer bliss. Go ahead -- trick me into thinking I've already eaten leafy green vegetables, turnips and zucchini...just don't mess with my sweet tooth. Besides, if I pretend to unwrap a Snickers, won't I find imaginary peanuts? Talk about a last straw.