By Real Age

You’ll be fitting into those skinny jeans in no time if you adopt this simple habit: pay with cash.

Yep, when you hit the grocery store, just leave your credit card — and debit card — at home. A recent study revealed that paying with cash instead of plastic seriously quells the temptation to load up the shopping cart with belly-padding junk food.

Pain Points
The reason people buy less junk food with cash? More pain. Seems they feel it in their wallets a little more sharply when handing over Benjamins versus bank cards. In fact, shoppers who used cash to fill their grocery carts in a recent study purchased far less unhealthful, fattening foods than the credit- and debit-card users did. (Here’s the secret on how to snack without getting huge.)

More Slimming Strategies
Now, check out this surprising figure: Only 14 percent of people use cash to grocery shop. And researchers suspect this could be one of the many factors behind the current obesity epidemic. Somehow, paying with plastic is less emotionally charged than the more immediate and uncomfortable act of parting with hard-earned greenbacks. So whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds — or a lot — leave for the store with your entire food budget in hand. And try these other get-skinny tips, too:

• Change your mindset. Here’s how you can enlist your brain in the battle of the bulge.
• Let others inspire you. Find your motivation through these seven people who’ve gained control over their health.
• Feed yourself. Eating food with this simple vitamin and mineral combo can help curb hunger.

Here are more ways to eat less.

references:[PDF] How credit card payments increase unhealthy food purchases: visceral regulation of vices. Thomas, M. et al., Journal of Consumer Research 2010 Oct 6; doi:10.1086/657331.

Reprinted with permission by RealAge, Inc. Copyright (c) 2010. All rights reserved. For an accurate calculation of your RealAge, visit www.RealAge.com. RealAge, Inc, San Diego, CA USA. All rights reserved. RealAge is a U.S. federally registered trademark of RealAge, Inc. Republication or redistribution of RealAge content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of RealAge. RealAge shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.