The Benefits of Chewing Gum

October 2, 2007 · 8 comments

Last week the Diet Blog asked the question “Chewing Gum for Weight Loss?” to which I respond, “Heck yes!”

I currently have a pack of Wrigley Extra in my car, my desk and my backpack. This gum helps me in three key ways:

My body has been trained to have sugar after a meal. I can’t help it right now, when I eat I need to have a dessert or something else sweet. I’m hoping over time that I get over that but for now a piece of gum replaces all the bad stuff I would normally have eaten. I have conditioned my mind to be as happy with a stick of gum as I am a 500 calorie large chocolate chip cookie - and that’s a real good thing.
When I have a piece of gum in my mouth it is much less likely that I will graze or impulse eat. This is because I have to think about getting rid of my gum first, which is an extra step that helps stop the reactive eating.
I have found that when I am in meetings or other group gatherings where food may be offered that I can more easily decline by saying “no thanks, I just put in a fresh piece of gum.” That seems like an easier excuse than “no thanks, I am a big fat slob who really shouldn’t eat that doughnut.”

I’m certainly not suggesting that a piece of gum should replace a piece of fruit or any other good for you food, but if you need a little something to get you past tough food situations a piece of gum just may be the ticket.

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{ 7 comments }

GroovyBabe October 2, 2007 at 11:12 am: I found chewing gum made me more hungry so stopped eating it. Apparently the chewing action produces acid in the stomach to tell it to prepare for food, which is why my body was hungrier when chewing gum…

If you managed to take a step from eating a big donought to a piece of gum, I imagine the next step (of having nothing) will be a much easier step to make.

I know having these little things is very helpful to sustained weightloss so well done on knowing your body and what works.
Skinny Guy October 2, 2007 at 11:53 am: I’ve gotten into the gum habit lately, mostly to tide me over during the 40 minute commute home from work.
Rachel B. October 2, 2007 at 6:05 pm: Gum helps me over rough spots as well.
poundslayer October 3, 2007 at 10:02 pm: I chew gum all the time and if definitely helps satisfy that oral fixation and sweet tooth all at once. Lately I like the Dentyne Splash… the citrus/blackberry one… yum!

The other day one of my students gave me trick gum that tasted like soap. Well it’s not ACTUALLY trick gum, it’s called Thrills and it’s supposed to be rosewater flavoured, but it tasted like Mr. Clean to me. Talk about washing out a foul mouth!
john - from fat to fit October 4, 2007 at 12:13 am: Thanks for the comments all. It’s interesting that something as simple as chewing gum would have different reactions in people. Got to figure out what works for YOU!
Sarah October 4, 2007 at 10:07 am: I have the same reaction of grooveybabe. It makes my stomach think food will be coming and inevitably I get hungry.
Israel October 14, 2007 at 9:45 pm: i havent eaten gum in a long time, but now i am starting to think about it since i need that little extra help in between meals.