The Tip: Snag an end seat at your dinner parties and happy hours, and shop the outer edge of the grocery store.

The Study: Various

The Theory: Bread, chips and other high-calorie, carby foods tend to be set at the center of the table at parties/happy hour/dinners, and highly processed and packaged foods hover in the middle aisles of a typical grocery store floorplan. Avoid those center spots at the table or bar, and when you're grocery shopping, load up your cart from the outer aisles, where the fresh produce, meats, dairy and natural foods are typically shelved.

The Tip: Season with cayenne, ginger, red pepper flakes, black pepper, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder and cinnamon.

The Study: Purdue University

The Theory: Spicy spices, like cayenne and black pepper, rev your metabolism and help your body burn more calories through thermogenesis, the production of heat in the body. Spices with strong aromas (like garlic power) or an extra kick (red pepper flakes) also force you to take smaller bites, so you're more likely to register "full" without overeating.

The Tip: Teach yourself to drink wine ... in moderation.

The Study: Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Theory: Over a 13-year span, researchers found that women who sipped on a glass (or two) a day not only consumed fewer calories, but that women burn more calories after drinking than men do because our bodies have to work harder to metabolize alcohol). Bonus: wine is full of antioxidants that reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

The Tip: Start increasing the number male invitees for your outings that involve food.

The Study: Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Akron

The Theory: Researchers found women (and men!) ate less when dining with men than they did when dining with women. They attribute this to an increased awareness of established gender roles -- and be honest, as progressive as you may be, you're less likely scarf down your fourth slice or order super-sized burrito when there are guys around.

The Tip: Head to the ATM and withdraw a set amount of cash for the day and leave your credit card at home.

The Study: Cornell and Binghamton Universities

The Theory: Previous studies have found that, in general, we're more likely to overspend when paying with plastic because we can't see the physical money (cash) diminishing. Researchers at Cornell and Binghamton linked this phenomenon to our waistlines, theorizing that junk food purchases are often impulse purchases. When you have a set amount of cash withdrawn, you're less likely to blow it all on Snickers bars, soda and chips.