Learn How to Love Healthy Foods (Page 3)

Amp Up Scent

Desserts are hard to resist. But the task is a little easier when their scent is intense. When we experience a strong complementary aroma (even a pleasant one) with our food, we take smaller bites, according to a recent study in the journal Flavour (for example, a whiff of coffee in a mocha dessert). And we don't make up for those smaller bites with more bites or by eating more food later. It's thought that there's some sort of feedback loop happening in our brains: when a strong complementary smell is present, we reduce our food intake so we are not overwhelmed with flavor. Next time you serve a sweet treat at a dinner party, think about lighting a vanilla-scented candle. Or when you order a dessert at a restaurant, pair it with strong-smelling coffee.

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