trysensa.com

Can a spoonful of powder sprinkled over your meals help you lose weight? Absolutely, according to the founder of Sensa Tastants. Dr. Alan Hirsch, a neurologist from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, is pretty sure he's found the answer to help the world lose weight, and it can be yours too for a mere $60 a month. So what's the deal with this magic potion, and can it work for you?

Sensa promotes itself as a diet-free, exercise-free, totally natural way to lose weight in a hurry. OK, so then how does it work? Apparently, Sensa builds upon findings that show that people who had lost their sense of smell and taste tend to gain weight. Given that information, it would make sense, then, that heightening the taste and smell of food might help people lose weight. And he's got it right, if his figures are to be believed. According to Dr. Hirsch's findings, nearly 1,500 participants in a six-month trial lost an average 30.5 pounds, around 5 pounds a month.

So let's get this straight -- Sensa enhances the taste and smell of food, and as a result, you eat less of it? Yep -- and if you buy into the program, you'll get Sensa sprinkles in two flavors -- sweet and savory. A six-month trail costs $235, or $59 for one month. You sprinkle it on your food and voila -- you're losing weight before you know it.

Right. Don't forget to take into account the fact that your body becomes "accustomed to the Tastants and they will not be as effective if you use them for longer than 30 days." And just what is in those sprinkles anyway? With ingredients like maltodextrin (which usually contains MSG) and FD&C Yellow 5, it doesn't sound like it's all that healthy for something you'll be consuming at every single meal.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this sounds more than a bit dodgy. The major red flag here? Any diet that promotes weight loss without exercise or healthy eating is not only unhealthy, it's unsustainable in the long run. Add to that the fact that there are no long-term studies on Sensa, so who knows if those participants have managed to keep the weight off. Sensa manufacturers insist their product will work for the long haul because "the body gradually adjusts over time to smaller portions, making it easier to practice moderation," but I seriously doubt that sprinkling a processed flavor enhancer on your food is going to help you tackle your weight loss issues for good.

Heather Caswell, a nutrition scientist with the British Nutrition Foundation, is doubtful too. "This isn't healthy weight loss," she says. "People need to ensure they're getting enough nutrients, and that they're not fueling their bodies with foods that can cause problems in the long-term. This doesn't address any of those issues. It's not really getting people to take responsibility for what they eat and why." And, as she adds, "There's nothing [in the program] about exercise or making healthy, balanced choices."

The bottom line? It sounds too good to be true -- and it is. Save your money for something that will benefit you in the long run, like a gym membership or some healthy cooking classes.

A more natural way to lose weight? Eating potatoes can help you shed pounds.