Science says smelling junk food can help you avoid craving it

Ever get a strong craving for a burger and fries? How about cookies and ice cream? Well, according to a new study, smelling your cravings could help deter you from actually eating them.

Researchers at the University of South Florida recently found a direct connection between the length of time one smells something and whether or not one will want to eat it. They conducted a series of tests that exposed participants to the smell of healthy and unhealthy food items (like cookies and strawberries).

It was discovered that those exposed to the smell of cookies for 30 seconds were more likely to go for the cookie, while those exposed to the smell for longer than two minutes didn't find the cookie as desirable anymore and picked the strawberries. They also tested pizza versus apples and had the same result.

Dipayan Biswas, PhD, lead author of the study and marketing professor at the University of South Florida College of Business says it's because the brain doesn't necessarily differentiate the source of sensory pleasure, like taste or smell.

"Ambient scent can be a powerful tool to resist cravings for indulgent foods," he said. "In fact, subtle sensory stimuli like scents can be more effective in influencing children's and adults' food choices than restrictive policies."

So if you're trying Whole30 or determined to stick to the ketogenic diet, try giving your most craved carbs a whiff for a while.

And for the rest of us, moderation is key — some food is good for the body and some is good for the mind.

Is your love of fast food as strong as Donald Trump's? Check out his feast of Burger King, Wendy's and more below!