Snacking does improve self control. But so does imaging other pleasurable rewards. You don’t have to actually experience it. Instead, snack for nutrition.
“”The role of glucose as a specific form of energy needed for self-control has been explored. Glucose, a sugar found in many foods, is a vital fuel for the body and the brain. Initial experiments suggested that self-control exertion depleted blood glucose, and that self-control performance could be replenished by consuming glucose (e.g., lemonade).[3] However, subsequent analysis has found that fluctuations in blood glucose levels do not correspond to self-control exertion or resources.[4] Several recent experiments have found that resource depletion effects can be reversed by simply tasting (but not swallowing or consuming) sweet beverages,[5][6][7] which can have rewarding properties.[8]”″
3: • Gailliot, M. T.; Baumeister, R. F.; Dewall, C. N.; Maner, J. K.; Plant, E. A.; Tice, D. M.; Brewer, B. J.; Schmeichel, Brandon J. (2007). “Self-control relies on glucose as a limited energy source: Willpower is more than a metaphor”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 92 (2): 325–336. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.92.2.325. PMID 17279852.
4: • Kurzban, R. (2010). “Does the brain consume additional glucose during self-control tasks?”. Evolutionary psychology: an international journal of evolutionary approaches to psychology and behavior 8: 244.
5: • Hagger, M.S.; Chatzisarantis, N.L. (2013). “The Sweet Taste of Success The Presence of Glucose in the Oral Cavity Moderates the Depletion of Self-Control Resources”. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 39: 28–42. doi:10.1177/0146167212459912.
6: • Molden, D.C.; Hui, C.M.; Scholer, A.A.; Meier, B.P.; Noreen, E.E.; d’Agostino, P.R.; Martin, V. (2012). “Motivational versus metabolic effects of carbohydrates on self-control”. Psychological Science 23 (10): 1137–1144. doi:10.1177/0956797612439069.
7: • Sanders, M.A.; Shirk, S.D.; Burgin, C.J.; Martin, L.L. (2012). “The Gargle Effect Rinsing the Mouth With Glucose Enhances Self-Control”. Psychological Science 23 (12): 1470–1472. doi:10.1177/0956797612450034.
Snacking does improve self control. But so does imaging other pleasurable rewards. You don’t have to actually experience it. Instead, snack for nutrition.
“”The role of glucose as a specific form of energy needed for self-control has been explored. Glucose, a sugar found in many foods, is a vital fuel for the body and the brain. Initial experiments suggested that self-control exertion depleted blood glucose, and that self-control performance could be replenished by consuming glucose (e.g., lemonade).[3] However, subsequent analysis has found that fluctuations in blood glucose levels do not correspond to self-control exertion or resources.[4] Several recent experiments have found that resource depletion effects can be reversed by simply tasting (but not swallowing or consuming) sweet beverages,[5][6][7] which can have rewarding properties.[8]”″
It is good news! Can you give name or link to that paper?
relevant: http://xkcd.com/906/
Okay
3: • Gailliot, M. T.; Baumeister, R. F.; Dewall, C. N.; Maner, J. K.; Plant, E. A.; Tice, D. M.; Brewer, B. J.; Schmeichel, Brandon J. (2007). “Self-control relies on glucose as a limited energy source: Willpower is more than a metaphor”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 92 (2): 325–336. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.92.2.325. PMID 17279852.
4: • Kurzban, R. (2010). “Does the brain consume additional glucose during self-control tasks?”. Evolutionary psychology: an international journal of evolutionary approaches to psychology and behavior 8: 244.
5: • Hagger, M.S.; Chatzisarantis, N.L. (2013). “The Sweet Taste of Success The Presence of Glucose in the Oral Cavity Moderates the Depletion of Self-Control Resources”. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 39: 28–42. doi:10.1177/0146167212459912.
6: • Molden, D.C.; Hui, C.M.; Scholer, A.A.; Meier, B.P.; Noreen, E.E.; d’Agostino, P.R.; Martin, V. (2012). “Motivational versus metabolic effects of carbohydrates on self-control”. Psychological Science 23 (10): 1137–1144. doi:10.1177/0956797612439069.
7: • Sanders, M.A.; Shirk, S.D.; Burgin, C.J.; Martin, L.L. (2012). “The Gargle Effect Rinsing the Mouth With Glucose Enhances Self-Control”. Psychological Science 23 (12): 1470–1472. doi:10.1177/0956797612450034.
8: • Frank, G.K.; Oberndorfer, T.A.; Simmons, A.N.; Paulus, M.P.; Fudge, J.L.; Yang, T.T.; Kaye, W.H. (2008). “Sucrose activates human taste pathways differently from artificial sweetener”. Neuroimage 39 (4): 1559–1569. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.10.061