Stop counting calories!
Who wants to lose weight, must count the calories that he consumes during the day - and should not exceed a certain limit. This widespread opinion is questioned by the authors of a new study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition. In it they argue that it is not the amount of calories alone that is responsible for obesity and related diseases - because not all calories are equivalent.
Instead of focusing on quantity, it is much more important to pay attention to the quality of the calories. And with that the food they come from. In particular, foods with a high fat content - which are also correspondingly high in calories and are therefore often avoided - are by no means always bad for the body. On the contrary: nuts, olive oil, pickled fish or whole milk are far healthier for the body than starchy and sugary foods.
"A calorie is a calorie." - This idea suggests that two completely different foods with the same energy value have the same effects on our body weight. As a result, a certain number of calories of salmon would have the same effect as white rice. Salmon contains zero carbohydrates, but protein and fat, whereas cooked rice contains many carbohydrates and little protein. And it is well known that different nutrients have different effects on our organism.
The study focuses in particular on the harmful effects of fast-digesting carbohydrates. They cause blood sugar and insulin levels to skyrocket - but they do not last long, so hunger returns soon. "While some calories curb appetite and give the body plenty of energy, others tend to make the appetite bigger and cause the body to store energy," writes co-author James DiNicolantonio. To put it bluntly, some calories tell the brain, "I am full and ready to move" while others are lethargic.
Or do you feel as fit after a chocolate bar as after a bag of trail mix with plenty of nuts?
