1. I work in the mall and smell delicious food all day. How can I curb my craving?
Jen via the Internet
The smell of warm pretzels, gooey cinnabuns, and buttery popcorn can set you up for a major craving. Fortunately, researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University have found a way to counteract the cravings. The solution is sniffing peppermint.
The study had volunteers sniff peppermint every two hours or do nothing. The peppermint sniffers were not as hungry as non-sniffers and they ate 2,800 fewer calories in a week. Thats enough to lose close to one pound each week.
Researchers say the peppermint distracts you from your hunger pains and as a result you eat less.
In addition peppermint could help control emotional eating. Now, eating peppermint candy or chewing peppermint gum does NOT work as well. It is best to buy peppermint oil and dab it on your wrist so you can easily sniff it or buy a peppermint inhaler for about ten bucks.
Check online or in nutrition stores for either product. Studies did not use a peppermint candle but maybe that would work too.
Doesnt peppermint also help with exercise?
Yes. Studies show that athletes perform better if they sniff peppermint. They were more motivated, exercised longer and harder, and were less fatigued when they sniffed peppermint.
2. I just saw a quick report on avoiding BPA in pregnancy. How do I avoid it?
Karen in West Springfield
According to a study just published in the journal Pediatrics, girls exposed before birth to high levels of BPA which is an estrogen-like chemical , are more likely to be anxious, depressed and hyperactive at age 3.
Boys behavior was unaffected by BPA. Researchers found BPA in the urine of more than 97% of the 240 pregnant women studied, as well as 97% of their children. BPA is found in plastic bottles, medical equipment, dental sealants, receipt paper, and the lining of cans.
To minimize your exposure look for cans and bottles that say BPA – free. Avoid plastic with the numbers 3 or 7 in the recycle symbol.
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