Everything (Except Candy?) Makes You Fat

We already know Americans eat too much, but why do we have to hear about it over and over? We’re consumed with what foods make us fat, creating a toxic relationship with food.

Just today I learned that diet soda leads to weight gain and consuming too many snacks leads to an expanding waistline. I don’t want to trivialize what is clearly a serious issue, especially since we’re eating more than ever before, but bombarding (and confusing) us with inconclusive information isn’t the answer.

The good news is that Americans are no longer eating larger-than-life portions. The bad news is that they’re compensating for the lack of a satisfying meal by snacking excessively throughout the day. The average American consumes 570 more calories a day than they did back in 1977, according to an extensive study performed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

On the bright side of the weight debate, American children who eat candy are 25 percent less likely to be overweight than the kids who completely cut out it of their diets (by “candy” researchers mean chocolate and sugar-based sweets), according to a five-year study performed by Louisiana State University.

When it comes down to it, though, health experts are not advocating these results as a reason to binge on sugar every day. “We can’t violate the laws of thermodynamics so these kids have figured out a way to balance their energy intake with their energy output,” said Victor Fulgoni III, one of the study’s co-authors. These kids are eating candy but also living active lifestyles to burn off the extra calories.

Children, not yet as disenchanted with food as adults, just know intuitively what they should eat and how much. It’s simple and even cliche at this point, but you really can’t go wrong if you live an active lifestyle and ensure a balanced diet. So if you feel like a Coke or you want to take a break and have a Kit Kat, I say go for it. “Food” and “Fat” don’t always have to be in the same sentence.

Contact the author here: tinybart@morningquickie.com