Cure Your Snack Cravings in 10 Minutes

Next time you find yourself mindlessly nibbling on food at work, get up and take a walk—pronto. The brisk exercise will help you cut down on your snacking habit by half, according to new research from the University of Exeter.

The Exeter team split 78 chocolate lovers into two groups, and asked half to walk briskly on a treadmill for 15 minutes. Afterward, all the study participants completed either low or high-stress desk work. The researchers provided each participant with a bowl of chocolate treats, giving everyone the option of snacking while on the job.

More from MensHealth.com: Outlast Your Cravings

Results showed that those who spent time on a treadmill beforehand ate roughly half as much chocolate—.5 ounces as opposed to 1 ounce.

The exercise you get from brisk walking likely increases your brain’s endorphin levels, says study author Adrian Taylor, Ph.D., a health psychology professor at Exeter. Studies have shown endorphins play a role in appetite suppression, which may explain why the walkers were less likely to main-line the chocolate treats. More research is needed to know for sure, Taylor said.

So if you find yourself reaching for a sugary snack, suppress your craving with a brisk 10- or 15-minute walk. Or here's another no-brainer: Don’t keep a bowl of chocolate on your desk.

More from MensHealth.com: Are You Snacking Too Much?

1. Prev:How Keeping This Secret Can Help You Lose Fat
2. Next:Lose Your Gut without Hating Your Life