I would first like to vent and say how appalled I was when the story about Professor Haub, a nutrition professor at Kansas State University, titled “Twinkie Diet Helps Nutrition Professor Lose 27 Pounds” was published on CNN (click for the article). This is exactly what people want to hear, that they can eat whatever they want to lose weight, as long as they stay within their daily calorie budget. While calories do count and if you consumer fewer than you burn, you will lose weight, this doesn’t provide a sustainable solution and it sure doesn’t promote optimal health.
For his experiment, Professor Haub consumed just 1,800 calories per day, an 800 calorie reduction from his usual 2,600 calorie per day diet. Approximately two-thirds of his calories came from junk food. The result: His body mass index decreased from 28.8 (overweight), to 24.9 (normal). What you may also find shocking is that other health indicators such as his LDL or “bad” cholesterol dropped 20 percent, his HDL or “good” cholesterol increased by 20 percent, and his triglycerides (the body’s storage form of fat) dropped by 39 percent.
However, these results should not come as a surprise. It has been confirmed from other studies that weight loss in general, regardless of how it happens, will improve your blood lipid profile. This study actually backs up the idea that if you are overweight, weight loss is good for improving your overall health.
So before you go out and buy a lifetime supply of Twinkies or invest in Hostess, remember diets do not work. Lifestyle changes are key and they must be something you can sustain. Choices should be made with your health in mind. Both quality as well as quantity of food counts when it comes to weight loss, weight maintenance, and long-term health.
Some good news…You can include a little treat here and there and you don’t have to forgo your favorite foods. Remember the 90/10 rule. If you eat fruits, veggies, lean protein and whole grains most of the time, an occasional Twinkie or Hostess Cupcake in a moderate portion is perfectly fine for most of us. The 90 percent includes foods that have been shown to reduce the risk of several chronic diseases and promote life-long health.
The LA Times recently published another viewpoint on the Twinkie Diet. Click HERE to read!
Krista Haynes, R.D.
