Successful Dieting Requires Less Calorie Counting

The AP (4/11, Choi) reports that dieters are doing less calorie-counting and instead focusing on foods that make them feel more satisfied. The piece notes that “the new thinking is that eating foods with more protein or fat will make dieters less likely to binge later, even if they’re higher in calories.” This is what we at the Center for Plastic Surgery have been saying for years. Also, by changing the composition of foods so that the sugar content is less and it is higher in acid and fiber as well as fat and protein, blood spikes are prevented by slowing the absorption of what is eaten. This reduces Insulin production and maintains a steady blood sugar level. The steady blood sugar level keeps you from being hungry. Insulin spikes drive excess sugar into the cell storing it as fat and preventing Glucagon and Growth Hormone (the hormones secreted by exercise) from removing fat from the cell. Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said, “People are recognizing that it’s not enough to just go on a diet and lose weight. Nutrition comes more into play.” The reason that “diets” do not work is that you never change your tastes. When you reach your goal, your old tastes take back over and you regain the weight. By gradually changing what you eat, you gradually change your taste and maintain what you have achieved.