Today.Az » Weird / Interesting » Weight loss without the hunger: Eat a lighter lunch, scientists say
31 August 2011 [13:36] - Today.Az
Losing weight without a grumbling stomach or expensive liquid diet can be as simple as eating a lighter lunch, finds a new Cornell University study to be published in the October issue of the journal Appetite.
Participants who ate portion-controlled lunches did not compensate by
eating more calories later in the day, leading researchers to believe
the human body does not possess the mechanisms necessary to notice a
small drop in energy intake.
"Making small reductions in energy intake to compensate for the
increasing number of calories available in our food environment may help
prevent further weight gain, and one way of doing this could be to
consume portion-controlled lunches a few times a week," said doctoral
student Carly Pacanowski, who co-authored the study with David Levitsky,
Cornell professor of nutritional sciences and of psychology.
The study closely monitored the food intake of 17 volunteers who ate
whatever they wanted from a buffet for one week. For the next two weeks,
half the group selected their lunch by choosing from one of six
commercially available, portion-controlled foods, such as Chef Boyardee
Pasta or Campbell's Soup at Hand, but could eat as much as they wished
at other meals or snacks. For the final two weeks, the other half of
volunteers followed the same regimen.
While eating portion-controlled lunches, each participant consumed 250 fewer calories per day and lost, on average, 1.1 pounds.
"The results confirm that humans do not regulate energy intake with
any precision. Over a year, such a regimen would result in losing at
least 25 pounds," said Levitsky, who adds the study demonstrates one
simple, low-cost way to consume fewer calories.
/Science Daily/
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