想吃就吃才能瘦 吃巧克力也能減肥

Next time you treat yourself to a sizeable slab of chocolate cake, make sure you enjoy every crumb.

下次你要是想吃一大塊巧克力蛋糕，那要記住每一口都好好享用哦。

Psychologists have discovered those of us who see it as something to celebrate are much more likely to stay slim. But if you are racked with guilt afterwards, the chances are you will pile on the pounds.

心理學家發現，能高興地享用美食的人更能保持苗條的身材。倒是那些吃東西還有負罪感的人，反而更容易長胖。

The latest research, by experts at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, suggests the effect on human behaviour is also crucial.

由新西蘭坎特布里大學的專家主持的最新研究發現，人類行爲對於體重有很大的影響。

Researchers wanted to test whether guilt from scoffing chocolate cake acted as an incentive to improve weight control, or undermined dieters’ determination to succeed.

研究者想測試，大快朵頤享用巧克力蛋糕是會作爲控制體重的激勵呢，還是被當做了減肥成功的攔路虎呢。

They recruited almost 300 volunteers, aged from 18 to 86, and quizzed them on their eating habits and whether they were trying to lose weight.

研究者招募了約300名志願者，年齡從18到86歲不等，並研究了她們的飲食習慣，以及她們是否正在減肥。

They also asked them if eating chocolate cake made them feel happy or guilty.

研究者還詢問了志願者，吃巧克力蛋糕會讓她們感到快樂還是內疚。

The results showed 27 per cent associated it with guilt and 73 per cent with the researchers looked at weight control 18 months later, they found those riddled with guilt had gained significantly more.

結果發現，27%的人覺得吃了巧克力蛋糕會內疚，另外73%的人則是以愉悅的心情享用美味。研究者再看18個月後志願者的體重控制情況，發現那些會覺得內疚的人體重增加得尤其明顯。

The study found guilt made people feel they had lost control of their eating because they indulged in cake. As a result, they were more inclined to abandon weight loss plans.

研究發現，內疚感會讓人覺得自己暴飲暴食是缺乏對體重的控制。結果就是她們會更容易放棄減肥計劃。

The researchers added: ‘Enjoyment of food is essential to people’s well-being. This study shows those who consume a ‘forbidden food’ with celebration and view it as a treat do better in terms of weight management.

研究者還表示，"享受食物對身體有益"。研究顯示，把吃“禁吃食物”當做是一種獎勵的人在體重控制方面做得更好。