Chewing Gum: Part of Your Diet

While chewing gum may not be the latest fad diet, it may help with appetite control. One study from Glasgow Caledonian University in the U.K. showed that people who chewed gum between meals ate fewer calories during the next meal or snack.

So, what is the magic behind chewing gum? It could be a variety of things. One idea is that chewing on gum takes away the need to chew on something else, like food. You won't be doing any mindless eating while you are chewing gum.

Another thought is that the flavor of the gum takes away the urge to have any other flavors in your mouth. This can be especially true with mint gum: Think about chewing mint gum and then drinking a glass of orange juice — yuck.

Chewing sugar-free gum will cost you only 5 to 10 calories per stick, and chewing on a stick of gum for one hour burns about 10 calories! Some research suggests, however, that too much chewing can be detrimental to your teeth or jaw muscles or both — so check with your dentist. And chewing sugar-free gum can also help reduce plaque and cavities.

If you are struggling with after-meal cravings or trying to avoid a sweet nighttime snack, try chewing a piece of sugar-free gum. This can help to signal that your meal is over, keep you from snacking between meals, and nix those cravings for sweets.

Eating a few candy mints or simply brushing your teeth after a meal can help too. Give it a try and see if you can use gum to help control your appetite and head off some cravings.