Does it matter what you snack on as long as the calories are the same?

You have probably heard or read that when it comes to weight loss or gain, it does not matter where the calories come from. You will lose or gain the same amount of weight as long as you eat the same amount of calories.

I reviewed a study a while back on that topic which documented that it did make a difference where the calories come from.

The research reviewed this week also shows that all calories are not equal (Claesson AL, et al. 2009).

The study participants were healthy men and women, which were divided in two groups. One group was told to snack on candy and the other group to snack on peanuts. The calorie intake from the two types of snacks was the same and the study lasted for 14 days.

The results were quite interesting and showed that the waist circumference and body weight only increased significantly in the candy group. It was also interesting that cardiovascular risk factors such as LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and ApoB/ApoA-1 (another risk factor) ratio were higher in the candy group.

If you want to keep a slim waist line and lower your cardiovascular risk factors, stay away from the sweets and high glycemic index foods.

After all, it does matter where the calories come from.

If you want to know more about benefits of healthy foods, read one of the books “Effective Nutrition for Effective Healing” or “The Food Connection.” Click here for more information.

To read the original abstract click on the reference below.




Reference:

Two weeks of overfeeding with candy, but not peanuts, increases insulin levels and body weight. Claesson AL, Holm G, Ernersson A, Lindström T, Nystrom FH. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2009;69(5):598-605.