This is for all chocoholics. In one study, more than two out of three men - and 97% of the women - reported craving chocolate on a daily basis. So, here’s how to tame the call of the Snickers, courtesy of The Daily Health Bulletin.

Let’s start by looking at why chocolate’s so addictive. When you eat it, your brain releases the feel-good chemical dopamine. The occasional candy bar won’t hurt you, but research shows that, over time, chocolate sets up a vicious cycle - the more you eat, the more you crave the brain chemicals it produces. Now, here’s the important part - exercise produces similar changes in brain chemistry! Many experts believe that sedentary people substitute chocolate to take the edge off their body’s craving for physical activity!

So, what’s the best way to short-circuit this loop? Stop eating and start exercising. In a study done at the University of Exeter in England, 15 minutes of brisk walking twice a day drastically reduced food cravings, and not just during the walks - the benefits continued throughout the day. In fact, the volunteers said their desire to eat chocolate didn’t return - even when the researchers had them open a candy bar!

It’s easy to misinterpret your body’s need for exercise with a desire for chocolate. Which means the next time you have a craving, try walking to the store to get your fix. Odds are, you won’t want it by the time you get there.