WASHINGTON – If you want a sweet treat while you’re on a diet, which is better: a handful of jelly beans or five cups of cotton candy?

The answer might surprise you: They both have the same caloric content, but the large size of cotton candy will keep you fuller for longer. And that means you might be less likely to give in to that craving for a midnight snack.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports multiple studies suggest the volume of food can satisfy hunger regardless of calorie content.

Some tips for how to eat more but get fewer calories include:

• Choosing whipped cream cheese over regular
• Cutting foods into more pieces (makes it appear like a bigger portion)
• Eating puffed foods (like cereals, rice cakes) over chips or even granola
• Add colorful or pureed vegetables to foods

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