Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that individuals who visualize themselves overeating unhealthy foods will actually eat less of the offending items.

The findings were reported in the journal Science.

In the study, researchers found that subjects who asked to imagine eating 33 M&Ms actually ate less of the candies when prompted compared to those who imagined eating none or just three of the chocolate treats.

"If we actually imagine consuming a food, that seems to decrease our desire for it,' claims Carey Morewedge, an assistant professor of social and decision sciences. "But just thinking about a food increases our appetite for it." The take-away message: imagine more, eat less.