ACCOUNTING FOR CALORIES

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research (http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20070831/calorie-catch-in-healthy-fast-food?) showed that people tended to underestimate the calories in restaurant advertising themselves as “health food” restaurants by an average 21%. In a 1000-calorie serving, that would mean an extra 210 calories you think you are not taking in.

Considering that a 3500 imbalance in calorie intake vs calorie expended will add one pound to your weight, you only need to go to a “health food” restaurant 17 times to gain that one pound which you think you were avoiding. The study also indicated that people tended to overindulge in ordering side dishes in “health food” restaurants, adding to the calorie imbalance.

If you really want to maintain your weight, there is nothing like the old “exercise more, eat less.” A good practice to follow is: if you can walk, don’t ride; if you can run, don’t walk; if you can stand, don’t sit.

Images from Microsoft Clipart