123. Eating ‘light’ foods could lead to weight gain
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
New research shows that labeling foods and meals as “light” might actually backfire and lead people to eat more, and possibly gain weight. In a study published in the journal Appetite, researchers studied almost 40 adults and had them eat a lunch of penne pasta, tomatoes, pesto, oregano and basil. In one trial, the meal was described as “light” and not designed to fill the participants up. For the second trial, they were told the same meal was designed to be filling. The researchers found that when the subjects were told the meal was “light,” they ended up eating more, and they felt less full. It appears that your preconceptions of what you are about to eat plays a large role in how much you actually eat. If you think the meal will fill you up, you might eat less of it.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
