Don't turn up the heat in my apartment, which is currently sweltering despite the 30 degree weather, but do turn up the heat in the food you eat this winter.

I recently subscribed to writer Jane Brody's Personal Health podcast on The New York Times' website, and this week she talks about spicy food.

My favorite spicy food of late is Trader Joe's killer Thai Lime and Chili Peanuts. When I eat a small dinner, I often have a handful of the peanuts for dessert and soon feel sated. This, says Brody, is the effect that spicy food can have on you. According to the podcast, eating hot chilies, black pepper or ginger increases feelings of satiety so that you eat less; they also raise the body's metabolic rate, which means you burn extra calories.

Thai food for dinner, anyone?