Research Shows Bland Weight Loss Foods Contribute to Yo-Yo Dieting

Foods that are specifically packaged for weight loss can be found everywhere. They range from cereal and frozen meals, to snacks, breads, and even chocolate! Most people would agree that the “diet” version is never quite as tasty as the original, and is often “bland” or “blah-tasting.” There has been some recent research that shows what happens when you deny yourself food in its full calorie form. It is important to understand how such a habit affects the process of losing weight.

What happens when you deny yourself food in its full calorie form?

Research that has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who try to lose weight by incorporating diet food often tend to become yo-yo dieters. The food, otherwise known as “reformulated low-energy-dense food,” simply is not as satisfying. You may eat it, have a positive attitude, and do great for a certain period of time with your weight loss but then comes the crash and burn. Your body will start to crave the things that is has been missing at some point. That is why food in its natural calorie form will always win out. The key is to make sure that you eat well balanced, moderate portions. If you do that the weight loss will follow and will have a better chance of being permanent.

Details of the Study

One particular study was conducted at the University of Bristol and studied 36 adults who ate either a full-calorie spaghetti Bolognese lunch (containing 567 calories) five days in a row, or a reduced-calorie version of the same (containing 374 calories). Appeal for the spaghetti Bolognese was assessed, together with measures of expected satiety and expected satiation.

Overall, the researchers found that the subjects had a similar liking for both meals on the first day. However, appreciation for the diet version declined by about 30 percent, on average. Ratings for the full-calorie meal remained steady over the study.

Successful Weight Loss with a Well-Balanced Diet

Here is how you can effectively lose and control your weight without sacrificing the taste of food in its natural calorie form.

• You need to learn how to eat healthy, well balanced portions. This will allow your body to recharge itself and get your metabolism working optimally for you. Food in its natural state will always be easier for your body to process than food that has been altered to reduce calories.  Diet foods are reduced energy dense foods. Your body is never quite sure how to process them even if you have them daily.
• Eating the right portions and eating more frequently will help you lose weight at a pace that your body can keep up with. Just changing your diet can sometimes be enough to lose weight if that is your goal.  Of course exercise always helps, but a healthy diet is equally essential for your body.
• When you have a well balanced diet your body will not crave different foods the way it does when you try a diet based off of “diet foods.” That is because you are getting a well-rounded, nutritionally balanced daily food intake. The cravings are often what a person’s weak spot becomes.

If you try to make healthy life changes through dieting your efforts will most likely be diminished if you rely solely on diet foods. The best way to lose weight permanently is by eating a well balanced diet that has natural calorie foods. They will keep you satisfied and your body will respond positively to your new way of eating.