You do not have the stamina to go on a diet? Then the 25 second rule developed by researchers is probably just the thing for you!
What’s behind the nutritional formula?
As a study by the Rush University Medical Center shows, exactly 25 seconds are enough for people to make a healthy decision. The researchers did their research at a snack vending machine, where the subjects could opt for a healthy or unhealthy snack.
For their experiment, the experts developed a machine that influenced the snack selection by a deliberate delay. How it works? If the person selected an unhealthy snack, they had to wait at least 25 seconds for the snack machine to eject it. A screen on the device indicated the countdown. Within this time, the subject had the opportunity to opt for the healthy alternative, which was immediately ejected.
The result: The majority of subjects did not want to wait 25 seconds and decided instead for the meal without waiting. “People prefer instant gratification, and this system influences our decision and behavior in our daily lives, so waiting for something makes it less desirable,” study leader Appelhans summarizes.
Can you really lose weight with the 25 second rule?
In fact, the 25-second rule can also easily be transferred to normal everyday life. Here’s how it works: just count to 25 before grabbing an unhealthy snack or another lookup. In that time frame, you’ll become aware of what you actually want to eat – and focus on healthier alternatives.
A trick that has nothing to do with a long-term change in diet, but still proves helpful against food cravings. So if you want to lose weight, it does not hurt to adopt this method.