Spice Up Your Life

Sprinkling no-calorie seasonings and sweeteners on your food, will make you feel full faster, cut down on food consumption, and help you lose weight, according to a new study.

A study conducted by Dr. Alan Hirsch, a Chicago neurologist and psychiatrist, found that overweight people who used the zero-calorie flavorings lost an average of 30.5 pounds over the course of six months, while those who didn't use them lost only 2 pounds.

The 1,436 participants were not given dietary restrictions, although those in the study who were already dieting and or exercising were allowed to continue.

Those using the flavorings were given four small bottles each week and told they could use them liberally. They could choose savory or sweet, although they didn't know the exact flavor. The savory choices were salt-free and included cheddar cheese, onion, horseradish, ranch dressing, taco, and Parmesan. Sweet choices included cocoa, spearmint, banana, strawberry, raspberry, and malt.

Using the flavorings '"can actually cause a change in eating habits and behavior," says Hirsch, who is also the founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. He added that sprinkling the calorie-free flavoring may make some healthy foods such as vegetables tastier, making it easier to eat more of them.