FitSugar

Your Desire For French Fries Could Be in Your Genes

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:06:55 -0800

Some people (OK, a lot of people) are drawn to fattening foods. They can't resist brownie sundaes, buttery scones, and french fries. Now it seems a lack of willpower may not be the only culprit: New research shows it could be because of your genes.

A specific gene, named FTO, isn't necessarily a gene that causes obesity. But it does give those who have the gene a stronger tendency to eat richer, fattening foods, which in turn can make them overeat. In a study involving 2,700 children, on average the children with the gene variant ate 100 calories more than those without the gene. That translates to gradual weight gain over time and can lead to obesity.

There could turn out to be many genes associated with an increased risk for obesity, so more research needs to be conducted for sure. But someday, people may be blaming their weight gain on their genes. "What? That chocolate cake? My FTO gene made me do it."

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Why We Overeat: We Crave Fattening Foods

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:00:38 -0700

Juicy hamburgers, crispy French fries smothered in cheese, brownie sundaes topped with ice cream - why can't we say no to these fattening foods? We can't help it, according to Health magazine. Dr. David A. Kessler, author of The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite says, "We’re hardwired to hunger for fatty, sugary, salty foods because, back when our ancestors were foraging for every meal, palatable eats meant extra energy and a leg-up on survival."

Well thank you Mr. Caveman for my desire for greasy pizza and cheesecake. Not only do high-fat foods taste great, but when you devour them, a signal is sent to your brain that you're satisfied and happy. Your brain also forms long-term feel-good memories of the experience, which makes you crave it again and again. Even seeing or smelling certain fattening foods can spur pleasant thoughts that make us crave it. Well I guess old habits die hard. It does make me feel better to know that my brain's hunger for triple chocolate mousse pie is a force stronger than my willpower.

How can you combat this hardwired desire? Find out when you read more.

The best thing you can do is know which high-fat foods are triggers for you. Dr. Kessler says since certain moods, times of day, or places can spark our need for our favorite treats, avoid giving into your cravings. This will prevent the link from forming between foods and their triggers. Also set yourself up for success by avoiding foods that you can't say no to. That means you might want to find a different route to work that doesn't take you past a chocolate shop.

Most Fattening Foods of Spring

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Winter is the most well known culprit for high calorie menu items, but Spring can definitely give it a run for its money. WebMD compiled a list of the top ten most fattening foods of Spring and your favorite Spring fare may be on the list. So check it out and remember, everything in moderation.

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8 Most Fattening Foods of Fall

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:30:00 -0700

Fall is coming, which means so are fall yummies. In fact the chills of the evening lead me to mash up a side of red potatoes last night with dinner, and they were delish. Turns out, mashed potatoes made MSNBC's list of the eight most fattening foods of Fall. Damn.

Here's the complete list of things you may want to stay away from (or at least eat in moderation):

Halloween candy
Mashed potatoes
Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte
Apple pie
Cider
Stuffing
Candy Apple
Turducken

Do you know what "turducken" is? Tell me what you think it is in the comment section below!

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It's True! We Really Do Crave Fatty Foods When We're Stressed

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:00:42 -0800

If your chocolate cravings are any indication, you may have already suspected that high-fat foods are a woman's go-to snack when stressed. Now there's evidence to confirm your suspicions - UCSF recently conducted a study to examine the relationship between eating habits and chronic stress.

Researchers surveyed 600 overweight or obese women regarding their diet and stress. Issues classified as chronic stressors included job dissatisfaction, financial worries (like inability to pay rent or mortgage), or dealing with an ailing loved one. The women dealing with these taxing personal issues reported a higher likelihood of being unable to control what they ate, and a tendency to eat more fattening foods. Chronically stressed women were also more likely to force themselves to keep a regimented, strict diet to control weight gain, even skipping meals. The downside is that it's hard to keep up a regimented program, and being stressed means a plan like this is bound to backfire - ultimately there's a breaking point, and we're more likely to overeat.

To learn more about stressed-out eating, just read more.

While this study may not offer any groundbreaking info, it does serve as a healthy reminder: Be conscious of when you're actually hungry, and remember, there is such a thing as emotional eating. Be more mindful of your mental health and how it affects your food choices, and make healthy eating a priority. If you need some creative, healthy snack alternatives, visit our Snack Attack group for ideas.

This Is Why You're Fat Website

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

There are tons of websites out there devoted to helping you lose weight. They give tips on how to avoid cravings, how to eat more veggies, and how to get rid of the jiggle around your middle. They're all about hard work, commitment, sacrifice, and a lot of sweat. They inspire you to live a healthy lifestyle, but here's a website that takes a different approach. It's called This Is Why You're Fat. This food porn website, as YumSugar put it, features detailed photos and descriptions of atrocious food combinations that are fat, calorie, and cholesterol bombs. Foods like deep-fried s'mores on a stick, and bacon-wrapped meatloaf with a layer of mac and cheese in the middle. OK, so maybe there are a bunch of people who are actually excited by these dishes (many of which are deep-fried, smothered in cheese, or involve being wrapped in bacon), but for most of us, I think this website can help curb your appetite.

Interested in seeing these heart-attack-waiting-to-happen food combinations? Then read more.

Readers can submit their own photos, and here are some of my favorites. Does seeing photos like these inspire you to eat healthy or crave foods that are completely the opposite?

View 21 Photos ›

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Six of the Most Fattening Ice Creams

FitSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I scream. You scream. Here are six of the most fattening ice creams to make you scream. Newsweek did the leg work, so all your leg work won't go to waste by over indulging in these fattening flavors. I know ice cream is fattening to begin with, but add in peanut butter, nuts, pretzels and fudgy bits and the caloric content goes sky high in some of our favorite flavors.

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Speak Up: Is Obesity a Lifestyle Choice?

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

A controversial new book called The Fattening of America ($17.79) is making claims that being overweight is becoming less of a health hazard and more of a lifestyle choice. It suggests that in the future, many people will likely continue to choose a diet and exercise regimen that leads to excess weight, since losing weight requires too much work and too many lifestyle sacrifices. Here's an exerpt from inside the cover:

"The issue is not that Americans don't care about their increasing waistlines - quite the opposite, in fact. But the reality is that in America's (and increasingly the world's) obesity-inducing environment, the sustained changes in behavior required to lose the weight and keep it off are simply too difficult - and becoming more difficult all the time. Moreover, generous insurance coverage and vastly improved medical treatments have lowered the health costs, if not the monetary costs, of excess weight. So carrying a few extra pounds is not as bad for one's health as it used to be."

So what do you guys think about all this? Do you agree with the author's point of view? Speak up and share your thoughts in the comments section below. As always with sensitive topics, let's keep it respectful.

Why We Overeat: Stress

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:31 -0700

If you find that you overeat throughout your day, but have ruled out excessive tiredness as the cause, then you may be reaching for fattening foods because you're stressed out. According to Health magazine, chronic stress causes your body to create cortisol and insulin. These hormones increase your appetite for comfort foods which tend to be high in fat, sugar, and salt. Eating these types of foods can make you lethargic and also lead to weight gain. If you're already overweight, fat cells produce cortisol as well, so you produce even more of this appetite-raising hormone.

To help break the stress cycle that has you reaching for a pint of Ben and Jerry's, you need to figure out the causes of your stress and work on decreasing them. Talk to your boss about your workload if it's too much, or if money issues are plaguing your brain make an appointment with a financial consultant. You can also micromanage your daily stress by exercising to clear your mind, taking a break from work to sip a hot cup of tea, or getting a tension-relieving massage. Make these stress-busters a part of your daily schedule and you'll not only feel calmer, but your urge to overindulge will wane too.

Jennifer Love Hewitt on the Shape of Things

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:30:46 -0700

Gracing October's cover of Shape magazine, Jennifer Love Hewitt looks amazingly toned and smiley in her frilly white bikini, but she has the same insecurities all women have about their bodies. She shares:

"For the most part, yeah, I'm happy with my body, but there are days when I'm like, 'Ugh! Really? Why is it so hard to fit into my jeans?' That's when I say to myself, 'I look this way because I'm supposed to. If we all looked the same, we'd be boring.'"

I think she looks fantastic, and she's shared her tips on how she keeps her body looking healthy and fit. To hear them read more.

When it comes to her diet, Jennifer grocery shops every two days. She says, "Instead of piling up food in my fridge that says 'Come eat me!' I keep enough for only a couple of days." She rarely keeps fattening treats around to avoid temptations from her late night cravings. She says, "What am I going to do? Drive out at 11 at night just to satisfy a craving? No, that's crazy." She also eats lunch. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but in her business, many women skip out in order to stay super skinny. She opts for healthy choices like a salad with every meal, and lots of fruits and veggies.

Exercise is also top on Jennifer's list. We know she plays tennis (even in heels!), and she also enjoys running, even when she's traveling. While visiting Monaco with boyfriend Jamie Kennedy, they ran 40 minutes every morning through the streets of Monte Carlo. It's a great way to explore new places and burn calories too.

Jennifer takes care of her inner self too. At night, she says five things she finds sexy about herself, and says, "I fall asleep feeling beautiful. Then in the morning, before I leave the house, I say five things I love about myself . . . That way I can go out into the world with that little bit of extra confidence."

Tell me in the comments section below one thing that you find sexy about yourself. Go ahead and share five things if you feel it!