The research: Researchers at Saint Bonaventure University in New York recruited 56 undergraduates and separated them into three groups: one that sat with apple slices within reach and buttered popcorn roughly 6.5 feet away, one with the popcorn within reach and the apple slices 6.5 feet away, and one with both snacks within reach. They found that even though the participants all reported preferring popcorn to apples, the food that was closest was consumed the most, regardless of preference. In fact, when apple slices were closest, participants ate 30% more of them, and consumed nearly 2.5 times fewer calories than those sitting next to the popcorn. The meaning: Laziness for the win! Even if you’d rather eat a donut that’s across the room, according to the study, if you have a bowl of carrots at your desk, you’re more likely to eat the carrots instead of getting up to fetch the donut. The fact that the study was conducted from 2 PM to 5 PM, after participants hadn’t eaten for two hours, means the strategy could be most effective for warding off afternoon slump-induced cravings. The bottom line: You can prime yourself for healthy eating success by keeping good-for-you options close by and less nutritious picks out of reach. “This is a great way to increase your fruit and vegetable intake,” says Gregory Privitera, PhD, study author and associate professor of psychology. “Even if you only remember to do it two or three times a week, that’s two or three times when you would have been eating an unhealthier option.”
