Being overweight is a serious health threat for many people. PubMed Health has reported extra weight puts added stress on every part of your body. People with obesity are at risk for bone and joint problems, gallstones, heart attack from coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and stroke, high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Furthermore, the National Cancer Institute has reported "avoiding weight gain can lower the risk of cancers of the breast (postmenopausal), endometrium, colon, kidney, and esophagus." Health conscious people in Syracuse are concerned about these myriad of potential health problems associated with being overweight and are always seeking advice about healthy natural manners to lose weight and stay thin.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has reported "Mid-morning snacking may sabotage weight-loss efforts." According to a study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center women dieters who grab a snack between breakfast and lunch lose less weight compared to those who abstain from a mid-morning snack. This study was part of a larger randomized clinical trial which was designed to test the effects of nutrition and exercise on breast cancer risk.
The researchers found that mid-morning snackers lost an average of 7 percent of their total body weight while those who ate a healthy breakfast but did not snack before lunch lost more than 11 percent of their body weight. In the study, a snack was defined as any food or drink that was consumed between main meals. Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D, the corresponding author of the paper, has said “We think this finding may not relate necessarily to the time of day one snacks, but rather to the short interval between breakfast and lunch. Mid-morning snacking therefore might be a reflection of recreational or mindless eating habits rather than eating to satisfy true hunger.”
McTiernan has also commented while snacking too close to a main meal may be detrimental to weight loss, dieting efforts may also be sabotaged by waiting too long between meals. McTiernan has also said “Snacking could be part of a dieter’s toolkit if they’re eating in response to true hunger. Individuals should determine if they experience long intervals – such as more than five hours – between meals. Adding a snack might help people deal better with hunger and ultimately help them to make more sound choices at their next meal.” The bottom line is this study suggests that snacking may actually help with weight loss if it is not done too close to another meal, particularly if the snacks are made up of healthy foods that can help you feel full without adding too many calories.
Photographer; Stuart Miles
