There are countless weight loss articles providing you with tips to avoiding food temptations. Sure, having healthy food choices on hand is one way to fight the urge to reach for an unhealthy snack but… temptation is everywhere! Vending machines, grocery check-outs, lunch rooms, shopping mall food courts, need I continue? Finding something high in fat, sugar, and calories is far easier than we realize.

[An artisty take on Adam and Eve's apple temptation story. If this isn't photoshopped then double kudos to the photographer!]

It seems advertisers have been utilizing images of tasty dishes to persuade people to buy their products forever. However, do I really get week in the knees when I see a picture of a succulent, juicy, well-seasoned burger? Not even close and it sounds like I may not be alone. According to researchers in the Netherlands, food temptation might in fact strengthen one’s self-control.

The study details…

In a study published in Appetite (an International Research Journal), the theory was tested with 54 female students divided into two groups with group A looking at pictures of cake and group B looking at pictures of flowers. The researchers then asked each female about their eating habits and offered them a choice between a chocolate or oatmeal cookie.

Looking at dirty food pictures helps!

Group A – the cake viewers – gave a higher priority to healthy eating than the second group who had seen the flower pictures. They were also significantly more likely to pick the oatmeal cookie which in earlier tests was perceived to be a healthier option.

The results of this study are not at all ground breaking. Previous studies have suggested that another sense – your sense of smell – can also cause people to rate healthy eating more importantly as well. However, as someone who now thrives in the face of temptation, this could be a timely reminder of your fat loss goals regardless of which one of your senses you are using.

My experience with dirty food pictures

It took me quite awhile to understand how my mind was responding to the usual food marketing images and ads. Essentially, the images served as a reminder for my personal fat loss goals and how I was either succeeding (skip unhealthy food) or failing them (eating something I shouldn’t be). Not long after this realization, I started posting unhealthy food advertisements on the inside of my pantry door. Every time I opened that door I could hear Michael Corleone lecturing me – keep your friends close but your enemies closer!

Go ahead and subscribe to “PlayFood”

How’s that for killing off any urges to indulge? Al Pacino, The Godfather himself ready to whack you if you dare think about eating that not-so healthy food. So why not give it a shot? Your imagination probably isn’t as vivid as mine but feel free to sub in your own movie phrase or character to help you battle any food temptations you’re experiencing. Pictures could be put in any strategic location such as the inside of your lunch bag, the front door of your fridge, or the visor in your car. Don’t over think it – Be fun and creative. The only requirement? You have to want to lose weight!

NOTE: We’re talking about food pictures here. Now don’t be running out and stocking up on discounted Halloween candy and think you can withstand the temptations of junk foods. It doesn’t work, unless of course you have the powers of George Clooney in Men who stare at Goats… Hilarious!

For more information about the psychological barriers to eating and fat loss, check out the Eat Stop Eat review. Author Brad Pilon explains how our relationship with food has gone too far and offers a successful approach on long-term fat loss.