Do you think that if you only eat fewer calories you must lose weight?

[Bonita]

"No" is the correct answer. Unfortunately "Yes" is too simple and easy. If that were true, all of us would have the bodies we want!

If you think that 2,000 calories from chicken breast, potatoes, and broccoli are equal to 2000 calories of doughnuts, Moon Pies, Oreo’s, Twinkies and Butter Cups, you are mistaken.

These foods metabolize very differently inside your body. The high sugar content in the fat infused foods will cause a sugar spike, which will result in the production of insulin and therefore, conversion to fat. The fat in all of those taste good foods will add to fat already stored in your body.

Finally, the lack of protein in these type foods will not allow your body to produce any more muscle tissue nor will it produce a thermic effect*.

*Your body burns calories when you do everything from breathe to exercise, but did you know it also burns calories when you eat? The extra energy your body requires during digestion is called the thermic effect of food (TEF) and is often used when determining how many calories you need each day.

Twinkies do not speed up your metabolism. They slow it down.

On the other hand, lean chicken breast will speed up your metabolism, broccoli will provide you with vitamins and minerals and the potato will metabolize much more quickly in your body than the fat infused doughnuts.

Two thousand calories cannot come from just anywhere.

[Rita Bertler]

Bonita, You are so right, it isn't food, but what food we choose and what we do to the food to make it tasty. I am particularly glad that you touched upon that protein sustains muscle. We need muscle to burn calories and maintain our strength, balance, etc.

[Dr. ZZ]

Clap! Clap! Cheer! Bravo! That is exactly correct. I couldn't have said it better myself, and I happened to write the article on eating disorders and their treatment for the Encyclopaedia Britannica 1996 Health and Medical Annual.

It is encouraging to see that everyday folks are finally "getting" it: Twinkies are not food. They are taste-bud exciters that were formulated in a chemical laboratory. Think nourishment, not calories, and you'll be better off all around.