Of the countless #weightloss strategies that have been prescribed over the years, cutting calories is perhaps the most common. However, a recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that the quality of the food a person eats is more important for achieving and maintaining weight loss than counting the number of #calories consumed every day.
The new research was led by Christopher D. Gardner, the director of nutrition studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in California. In a trial involving over 600 people, researchers found that participants who cut back on added sugar, refined grains and highly processed foods and ate more vegetables and whole foods lost significant amounts of weight over the course of a year.
Those who chose to eat more natural foods did not need to reduce calories or limit their portion sizes to lose weight successfully. The strategy worked whether the participants followed low-fat or low-carbohydrate eating plans, and their success did not appear to be affected by genetics or their tolerance to carbohydrates or fats.
This study supports a fundamental principle behind the work we do together at Body Wisdom Montclair. Our goal is to help you create a lifestyle that will generate a healthy, happy you, both inside and out. Obsessing over calories and portion control may result in short-term weight loss, but it is not a sensible approach to developing the long-term eating habits that are part of a healthy lifestyle.
Instead, we provide a personalized plan that supports you on your path to optimal wellness. As this research shows, eating a nutritious diet and avoiding foods with refined starch and sugar will not only help you lose and manage your weight, but can also result in more energy, fewer #cravings and better overall health.