Quality not quantity ... even the most delicious foods can lose their appeal after the fourth portion. Researchers from the Universities of Vermont and Buffalo found that calorie consumption tends to decrease when food choices are limited. Conversely, when offered a variety of foods, many people's caloric intake will increase.
The study examined the eating habits of 32 women, half of whom were obese. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the first took part in the experiment once a week for five weeks, the second took part on a daily basis for five days.
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During the experimental sessions, the participants were asked to complete a variety of tasks in return for a "reward": a 125-calorie portion of macaroni and cheese. The women could work for as much food as they wanted.The researchers found that the subjects who were tested once a week increased their caloric intake by approximately 30 calories per day, while those tested on a daily basis reduced their intake by approximately 100 calories per day. No major difference was seen between the results of obese and non-obese participants.
The effect is known as "habituation" - when repeated exposure to a substance leads to a lack of response. Habituation can also occur in substance abusers.
The study's authors concluded that reducing variety in food choices may be helpful for those trying to lose weight - and that just remembering having eaten a certain food recently may help to reduce consumption.
"As can happen with substance abusers, tolerance or "habituation" can occur, meaning that repeated use (in this case, exposure to a food) is sometimes accompanied by a lack of response (in this case, disinterest in the food)," said "We've known for years that foods - even eating itself - can trigger release of various brain chemicals, some of which are also involved in what happens with drug addiction and withdrawal," commented a spokesperson for the American Society of Nutrition, Dr Shelley McGuire. "The trick will be balancing this concept with the importance of variety to good nutrition."
smh.com.au
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/boredom-key-to-diet-success-20110725-1hw2v.html#ixzz1TBFPtXWy
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