Chewing Gum…pop a piece!

Did you know that chewing gum was the number one snack choice of Americans?...AND the military has been supplying chewing gum to its personnel as combat rations to help increase alertness, improve oral health and ease tension. I thought it was just for keeping your breathe minty fresh and its oral health benefits.

Well…new research indicates that it may also help with appetite control. It was found that a stick of gum (regular or sugar-free), could reduce hunger and decrease calorie intake.  Chewing gum between meals may help you to eat less. More research is needed to fully understand chewing gum as a strategy for managing weight.

It also appears that chewing gum can reduce stress and relieve tension…just in time for those long holiday shopping lines. Before you blow your stack…grab a stick!  More research suggests that chewing gum may improve alertness and concentration. This is just what I need to keep me awake on my (less than) 20 minute commute home from work.  I’ve pulled into my garage and can’t even remember how I got there. 

Chewing gum can also be used to release nervous energy and provide an outlet for frustration and irritation…some psychiatrists suggest.  WOW…who knew?

According to Scientist at the Mayo Clinic you may be able to burn ~11 calories per hour chewing gum. Below are more suggestions for using gum to control your appetite and weight. Who knows…you may be able to trim a few inches off your waist line.

Tips for Managing your weight with Chewing Gum

o   Pop a piece...to signal the end of a meal.

o   When you have the urge for a high-calorie snack…pop a piece! Two sticks of gum for 20 calories OR two chocolate chip cookies for 140 calories…you can save 120 calories

o   Does stress trigger you to eat too much? To relieve stress and avoid “mindless munching”…pop a piece!

o   Do you nibble while you cook…pop a piece!

Pop a piece to help you decrease...Weight, stress, irritability, frustration, appetite, tension…

Le Greta