Yea tho’ I walk through the shadow …

Every year, the confection flood gates open, and test the mettle of your dreams of moderation. Just keep in mind that moderation can come in many forms. You may be a “cold turkey” person … that wonderful and rare individual who can just, you know, STOP!!

If that is you, you can ditch all the candy, and never look back, ye of iron will power.

For others, the moderate solution would be to allow yourself a bit, to curtail comsumption volume slowly over time. In fact, this article from Reuters reports on research in female college students, in which the women exerted greater self-control when they had previously been given a sweet treat — rather than just pictures or smells of them.

The implication?
“The main message is that banishing food temptations may not be the best way to limit the amount eaten. Tempting foods can actually increase willpower,” explained lead author Kelly Geyskens. The findings, according to Geyskens, suggest that trying to remove all tempting foods from your daily life may not be the best weight-loss solution.

Of course, you know who you are, and you know your own tendencies. So, use your judgement as to whether you think you can toss the entire pillowcase of nuget nuggets. If you need a bridge to wean yourself off, go ahead and give yourself that freedom.
SOURCE: Journal of Consumer Research, December 2008.