By: Karolina Starczak

Sep 11, 2009

Giving up our calorie filled chocolate addictions used to be a fantasy, but a new study may finally have a solution. Turns out going for a brisk walk when a craving hits can help knock chocolate off its rich, creamy pedestal. Walking may just be our new secret weapon against chocolate splurges.

The study, published in the journal Appetite, asked 25 regular chocolate consumers to abstain from chocolate for 3 days and upon arrival fill out a food cravings questionnaire. Part of the group was asked to sit quietly for 15 minutes, while the others walked on a flat treadmill at their own pace for 15 minutes.

If you were rooting for the participants who were asked to sit, turns out that a chocolate time out will not do much to fight off chocolate cravings. The walking group on the other hand, significantly lowered their urge to eat chocolate immediately after the exercise session. With a reported 97 percent of women experiencing regular food cravings, that’s a lot of crave fighting miles.

In addition to walking here are some extra tips to make chocolate cravings yesterday’s news:

• Don’t deprive. Cutting out favorite indulgences will only make us crave them more. Find a way to allow yourself to have a small amount once or twice a week.
• Avoid snack shops when in a bad mood. Negative feelings can leave us powerless against cravings, especially our number one comfort food—chocolate.
• Join a walking group. Physical activity has always been one of the best ways to reduce cravings, but doing it with a buddy or a group can help keep you motivated and on track. Try our Walk Your Belly Flat Community Challenge for tips, advice, and inspiration.

Do you have any secret ways to fight cravings?

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