Friday, August 2, 2013

Can Your Diet Derail Your Relationship?

Can Your Diet Derail Your Relationship?

Does healthy eating lead to cheating? Giving up your favorite foods might make you more likely to stray from your partner, according to recent Monmouth University research.

In the strange study, people in committed relationships were more inclined to accept a date offer if they had to eat radishes while eyeing cookies, compared to participants who did the opposite.

It’s a huge stretch to say that your diet could make you an adulterer, but the study authors’ explanation is interesting: When self-regulation stores are depleted (by something like a plate of cookies staring you in the face), you’re more likely to give in to temptation—in any part of your life, explains lead researcher Natalie Ciarocco, Ph.D.

There’s a way to fight off the effect, though. The more you do something, the more it becomes ritual (and the less self-regulation you need). So to develop new habits, focus on one specific goal, like limiting sweets. Research shows that adding more objectives—nixing sweet snacks and developing a new gym routine at the same time—is likely to sabotage your success by making each goal feel less important, according to a new Dutch study.

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