Put Down That Nutrition Bar!
Do you turn to nutrition bars, snacks or other foods with packaging that speaks of “fitness” benefits? Think Wheaties “The Breakfast of Champions; Clif Bars, marketed to outdoor enthusiasts; PowerBar, targeted to athletes; or Bear Naked’s “Fit” Granola.
Put them down! A new study in the Journal of Marketing Research demonstrates that such “fitness branding” encourages consumers to eat more and exercise less.
The researchers found that the “Fitness” label had a significant effect on consumption and exercise. The participants who were trying to watch their weight ate substantially more of the “Fitness” snack and worked out less during the exercise phase of the study. Ouch!
Ironically, many foods marketed as “fitness” healthy are very high in sugar. For instance a Clif Coconut Chocolate Chip Energy Bar has 22 grams, the equivalent of nearly six teaspoons, of sugar. We must read nutritional panels to get the real story!
3 Tips For Healthier Snacking for Weight Loss & Fitness
Make A List of Your Favorite Healthy Go-To Snacks — Here are some of my favorites. Be careful with portions. We tend to underestimate our eating and overestimate our exercising!
- Greek Yogurt with Fresh Fruit and Nuts
- Hummus with High-Fiber Chips and Baby Carrots
- Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
- High-Fiber Whole Grain Toast with Avocado
Eat Throughout The Day — Find the time to eat meals and snacks — or even (hark!) graze — in order to maintain your energy throughout the day. This will prevent the overeating that comes with not eating at consistent intervals during the day.
Get Clear About “Why” You’re Eating — Are you hungry? Many people who experience weight fluctuations fall victim to triggers — those buttons that turn on the “I’m hungry” signal, such as anger, frustration, boredom, sadness, feeling rewarded or even just witnessing other people eating. It is possible to interrupt those thought patterns once you key in the “why.”
For more on Healthy Eating:
Stop Counting Calories and Enjoy Your Food With 3 Easy Mindset Shifts
Want The Golden Key to Weight Loss, Heart Health & Digestive Ease?
The Myth of Calories In, Calories Out
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Great post! I agree that fitness foods increase your eating and snacking. I think your advice on figuring out why you are reaching for that particular food is awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Great article. I especially like the list of your favorite snacks as I always find it difficult to find snacks that are easy to bring along and fit into my busy schedule.