Eating Chocolate Regularly May Make You Leaner, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Study. A survey of about 1,000 Americans that suggests eating chocolate may help people get leaner deserves to be followed up with more study, according to a California-based researcher. The survey found that those who ate chocolate about five times a week had a body mass index one point lower than those who didn’t indulge, Beatrice Golomb, at the University of California, San Diego, wrote in a letter published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Association Between More Frequent Chocolate Consumption and Lower Body Mass Index.

Spicy Red Pepper May Help Curb Appetite. Increasing the amount of chili peppers in your diet may help keep appetite under control and increase the number of calories you burn, new research suggests. In the study, people consuming a higher amount of hot peppers reported fewer cravings, and had an increased body temperature which boosted resting metabolism. The effects of hedonically acceptable red pepper doses on thermogenesis and appetite.

Not All Fat in Pistachio Nuts is Absorbed by the Body. Pistachios are a healthy snack for those trying to lose weight, rich in nutrients and minerals. Further, new research reveals that not all of the fat present in the nuts is absorbed by the body, making them effectively lower in calories than previously thought. Together with results showing enhanced cardiovascular health when pistachios are consumed regularly, nutritionists recommend them as a light and healthy snack. See also: Pistachio nuts reduce triglycerides and body weight by comparison to refined carbohydrate snack in obese subjects on a 12-week weight loss program.

Adding Protein, Like Lean Pork, May Help Dieters Curb Late-Night Munchies. Dieters trying to stick to their diets may want to look no further than lean protein, according to two studies published in the prestigious journal Obesity. Including protein such as lean pork in three daily meals could reduce late-night desires to eat, increase feelings of fullness and decrease distracting thoughts about food, according to the research. The effects of consuming frequent, higher protein meals on appetite and satiety during weight loss in overweight/obese men and The influence of higher protein intake and greater eating frequency on appetite control in overweight and obese men.

Candy Lovers Can Still Effectively Manage Weight. People can still live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy treats, nutritionists advice, based on new research. A recent study has determined that a sweet tooth isn’t associated with obesity, suggesting it is possible to indulge while maintaining a healthy weight. Candy consumption was not associated with body weight measures, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, or metabolic syndrome in US adults: NHANES 1999-2004.

Giving Baby Solid Foods Too Early Linked to Obesity Later. Babies who were formula-fed and introduced to solid foods before they were 4 months old were more likely to be obese when they were 3, researchers report. Timing of Solid Food Introduction and Risk of Obesity in Preschool-Aged Children.

Big Breakfast May Make you Fat After All. For years, dieters have been told that the way to lose weight was to start the day with a hearty breakfast. Eat more in the morning and you’ll burn more calories and consume less food later in the day, nutritionists have told us. But now a new study suggests that the only thing a big breakfast does is lard on more pounds. No matter how many calories are consumed in the morning, people eat the same size lunch and dinner — and that adds up to more total calories when the breakfast is big, according to the study, which was published in the Nutrition Journal. Impact of breakfast on daily energy intake - an analysis of absolute versus relative breakfast calories.

In Study, Babies Fed Protein Hydrolysate Formula Gained Weight at a Normal Pace. Researchers report that infants fed cow milk formula gained more weight more quickly than infants fed protein hydrolysate formulas, which are also known as hypoallergenic formulas meant for babies that have problems digesting certain proteins. The proteins in the formula have already been broken down to make digestion easier. Differential Growth Patterns Among Healthy Infants Fed Protein Hydrolysate or Cow-Milk Formulas.

Milk Drinkers May Lose More Weight. Drinking milk may help you get rid of unwanted weight. Drinking higher amounts of milk or eating other dairy foods may help you win the battle of the bulge, according to new research published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Dairy calcium intake, serum vitamin D, and successful weight loss.

Water May Be Secret Weapon in Weight Loss. Drinking water before each meal has been shown to help promote weight loss, according to a new study. Water consumption increases weight loss during a hypocaloric diet intervention in middle-aged and older adults.

Study Provides New Evidence for Weight Loss Potential of Chili Peppers. Scientists are reporting new evidence that capsaicin, the stuff that gives chili peppers their kick, may cause weight loss and fight fat buildup by triggering certain beneficial protein changes in the body. Their study results could lead to new treatments for obesity. Proteomic Analysis for Antiobesity Potential of Capsaicin on White Adipose Tissue in Rats Fed with a High Fat Diet.

Bacon or Bagels? Higher Fat at Breakfast May Be Healthier Than You Think. A new study from University of Alabama at Birmingham shows that fat consumption earlier in the day is beneficial compared to consuming the same food later in the day. This just shows that the best way to lose weight is to stop eating fatty food after dark. Time-of-day-dependent dietary fat consumption influences multiple cardiometabolic syndrome parameters in mice.

Cheers! A Drink a Day May Keep the Pounds Away, Brigham and Women's Hospital Study. Woman who are light to moderate drinkers gained less weight compared to nondrinkers in a recent study. Mean weight gain was 3.63 kg -- about 8 pounds -- for those who didn't drink, compared with 1.55 kg -- about 3.5 pounds -- for moderate drinkers. Alcohol consumption, weight gain, and risk of becoming overweight in middle-aged and older women.