LEUVEN, Belgium, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Banishing tempting goodies may not be the best way to keep from eating them, researchers in Belgium said.

Study authors Kelly Geyskens, Siegfried DeWitte, Mario Pandelaere and Luk Warlop, all at Catholic University, in Leuven, Belgium, conducted a series of studies in which they created temptation situations for study participants. They found that the presence of actual M&Ms -- as opposed to pictures or smells -- improved participants' self control.

"In three experimental studies, we demonstrate that "actionability" -- the opportunity to consume the temptation -- of the prior food temptation is the pivotal variable," the study authors said in a statement. "It appears that the self-control strategies that are marshaled to deal with the conflict in the previous tempting situation linger into the subsequent temptation situation, and hence helps consumers to control their food intake."

The studies, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, imply that tempting consumers with real food may help them to restrict their food intake on a subsequent consumption opportunity. The findings suggest that having candy in large stocks at home might help control food intake, whereas seeing pictures of food in magazines or on television might lead them to eat more when given the occasion, researchers said.

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