Latest news with #caloricintake
Al Jazeera
07-08-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
CDC reports ultraprocessed foods comprise more than half of the US diet
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has released the summary of a new survey confirming that ultra-processed foods make up a majority of Americans' caloric intake. The study, published on Thursday, involved tracking the meals and snacks of Americans from August 2021 to August 2023. During that period, 55 percent of the calories consumed by Americans came from ultra-processed foods, according to a mean calculated by the survey authors. That number was even higher for younger people involved in the study. Youths ranging from age one to 18 reported that nearly 62 percent of their diet was highly processed. That number dipped to 53 percent among adults over age 19. Ultra-processed foods are common and can take a variety of forms, from pre-packaged snacks, frozen foods and bottled soda drinks. But Thursday's findings are likely to add fuel to a campaign under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr to reform the US diet, as part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign (MAHA). Just one day before the latest CDC numbers were published, Kennedy used his social media account to once again blame high-calorie, processed foods for a variety of ailments. 'Genes don't cause epidemics. They may provide a vulnerability, but you need an environmental toxin — and we know what it is. It's sugar and ultra-processed foods,' Kennedy wrote on the platform X on Wednesday. Studies have repeatedly shown links between highly processed foods and detrimental health conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Kennedy, however, has been criticised for seeking 'environmental toxins' to explain conditions like autism, which researchers largely believe to result from a variety of factors, including genetic ones. Thursday's survey results are part of a long-running study tracking what American adults and children eat and drink on a daily basis through interviews, body measurements and laboratory testing. Known as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the study has its limitations: Interviews rely on self-reported food consumption, for instance. But its origins stretch back to the 1960s, and since 1999, the study has continued without interruption, according to the CDC. About 5,000 people take part each year. In the latest edition of the survey, researchers found that income played a significant role in how much ultra-processed foods were consumed per household. High-income groups corresponded with lower mean percentages of highly processed foods consumed. This was particularly pronounced among adults. For those whose salaries were equivalent to 3.5 times the federal poverty level or more, a mean of 50.4 percent of their diet was comprised of processed foods. That number rose to 54.7 percent for those whose incomes were slightly above, at or below the federal poverty level. The survey also identified the primary culinary culprits behind Americans' consumption of highly processed foods. Sandwiches, including burgers, were the highest source of ultra-processed foods, comprising 7.6 percent of the calories consumed by youth and 8.6 percent for adults. Sweet bakery foods were the next highest category, at 6.3 percent for minors and 5.2 percent for adults. Sweetened beverages and savoury snacks were also prominent sources of calories. But the study did contain some positive news, showing that the mean consumption of ultra-processed foods had decreased. In the survey period from 2013 to 2014, adults consumed a mean of 55.8 percent of their calories from highly processed items. But by the current period, that number slid to 53 percent.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
David Corenswet Ate 4,500 Calories a Day for 'Superman'—Here's What a Dietitian Thinks
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDDavid Corenswet ate 4,500 calories a day and gained 40 pounds to bulk up for Superman. While Corenswet's diet matched his training, a dietitian shares how this may not be sustainable for most. Building muscle is more than just calories, as nutrient-dense foods and strength training are equally the new Superman movie coming out this weekend, lead actor David Corenswet has been making countless headlines. And as our brand-new Superman, the star had to go through months of physical training, including a major caloric uptick and intense exercise. In a recent interview with GQ, Corenswet admitted that he had to eat much more than the average person in order to meet his muscle building goals. 'I was aiming for about 4,500 calories a day,' he says in the video. In a separate interview with People last month, Corenswet says that this alongside intense weight training caused him to gain 40 pounds between the first screen test as Clark Kent and the first costume fitting. Weight gain can be healthier than weight loss when you're working out, especially if your goal is to build more muscle. But if gaining 40 pounds in the short-term and eating 4,500 calories feels like a lot, you're not wrong. We asked our senior nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, if these are warranted amounts for Corenswet's health goals to transform as Superman—here's what she had to say. 'Calorie needs are super individual, and based on numerous factors like age, height, sex and activity level. Personal goals are also something that can influence what someone's goal calorie intake should be. However, drastically increasing or decreasing one's caloric intake in hopes to reach a lofty goal often backfires,' Ball shares. 'Someone of Corenswet's age and height with a very high activity level would need around 3,500 calories per day just to meet their body's needs. So while 4,500 calories is likely unnecessary and unsustainable for many, it was a calorie excess that aligned with Corenswet's goals for his role.' Although the high-calorie diet and heavy lifting worked for Superman, there's no denying that this isn't fully sustainable for the average person. When it comes to excessive diets and celebrity exercise routines, it's important to remember that an actor's training is a part of their career, so spending hours at the gym each day isn't incredibly feasible for most. But there are more maintainable ways to gain muscle mass, from prioritizing certain nutrients to incorporating different exercises in your workout. 'While caloric intake is one part of the equation, there's a lot more that goes into gaining mass in a healthy way. In order to gain lean mass, like muscle, strength training is crucial. However, other forms of exercise like cardio and stretching are still really important for your overall health,' adds Ball. 'Muscles and other body tissues need nutrients beyond just protein to recover, so it's important to make sure that any diet focused on a calorie surplus is still considering the nutrient density of the food choices.' So no, you don't have to eat 4,500 calories to meet your muscle goals. But consider incorporating more high-protein, high-fiber meals in your routine to maintain muscle mass and to keep you satisfied. And mixing up your workout with aerobic exercise alongside weight lifting is key to maintaining strength. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
This single change to your food can help you eat less overall
Red hot skinny peppers? Scientists at Penn State University's Sensory Evaluation Center have discovered that a little heat goes a long way in limiting caloric intake at meal times. Their findings, slated to be published in the October issue of Food Quality and Preference, suggest that the 'oral burn' left by spicy foods has a direct bearing on consumption habits, and adding slightly more spice to a meal can lead to eating less. 'We know from previous studies that when people slow down, they eat significantly less,' said Paige Cunningham, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author on the study who earned her doctorate in nutritional sciences from Penn State in 2023. 'We suspected that making a meal spicier might slow people down.' 'We thought, let's test, under controlled experimental conditions in the lab, if adding a small amount of spice, but not so much that the meal is inedible, will make people eat slower and therefore eat less.' The research team conducted three experiments in which participants were served one of two meals: beef chilli or chicken tikka masala in two versions, mild or spicy. Researchers found that increasing spice levels using dried chilli pepper effectively slowed the eating rate and reduced the amount consumed without affecting overall palatability. 'This points to added chillies as a potential strategy for reducing the risk of energy overconsumption,' said John Hayes, Penn State professor of food science and corresponding author on the paper. 'While portion control wasn't the explicit goal of this study, our results suggest this might work.' Hayes noted that an intuitive explanation for the caloric discrepancy would be that spicy eaters drank more water, leading them to 'fill up' faster. However, water intake proved consistent, whether participants ate mild or spicy meals. 'This is why we need to do empirical studies of behaviour, because what you might intuitively expect is often not the case,' he said. The study suggests that reduced caloric intake is motivated by oral processing; in essence, participants consumed spicier meals at a slower rate. Cunningham noted that a slower eating rate equates to food remaining in the mouth for a longer period of time, which can signal satiety and lead people to eat less. Further, the team found that appetite ratings taken before and after the meals were congruent, indicating that despite eating less of it, participants felt full after tucking into a spicy meal. 'Next time you're looking to eat a little less, try adding a blast of chillies, as it may slow you down and help you eat less,' suggested Hayes. In addition to curbing cravings, eating spicy food is associated with a pepper patch of health benefits. Studies suggest that capsaicin, the compound found in jalapeños, habaneras, cayenne, and most other chilli peppers, may lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol, which accumulates on artery walls and constricts blood flow to the heart. Spicy food can also help dilate blood vessels, promote circulation, and help manage blood sugar. A 2006 study in the journal Cancer suggested capsaicin may inhibit the spread of prostate cancer cells. Spicy foods also boost immunity as studies suggest they can act as a decongestant, protecting against irritants and pollutants, like dust and smoke. Better yet and better for your health, a Harvard University study suggested that people who ate spicy food every day saw a 14 per cent lower risk of death compared to people who ate spicy food only once a week or less.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The £2 ingredient to add to meals if want to cut back on calories – as scientists show it can make you eat less
THROWING a little heat on your meal could be an effective strategy for cutting back on calories, say scientists. Increasing "oral burn" - the feeling you get when you eat spicy food - has been found to impact how much people consume during a meal. In a new study led by Penn State, researchers demonstrated how adding spicy ingredients like chilli peppers to meals causes people eating less and consume fewer calories. "We know from previous studies that when people slow down, they eat significantly less," said Paige Cunningham, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author on the study. "We suspected that making a meal spicier might slow people down. "We thought, let's test, under controlled experimental conditions in the lab, if adding a small amount of spice, but not so much that the meal is inedible, will make people eat slower and therefore eat less." The researchers found increasing spiciness just slightly using dried chilli pepper slowed down eating and reduced the amount of food and energy consumed at a meal - all without negatively affecting the taste of the dish. "This points to added chillies as a potential strategy for reducing the risk of energy overconsumption," said John Hayes, Penn State professor of food science and corresponding author on the paper. "While portion control wasn't the explicit goal of this study, our results suggest this might work. "Next time you're looking to eat a little less, try adding a blast of chillies, as it may slow you down and help you eat less." The team carried out three related experiments which involved 130 adults who were served one of two lunch meals - beef chilli or chicken tikka masala. Both these dishes came in one or two versions - mild or spicy. I lost almost a stone in just six days and here's the exact list of delicious meals I ate which never left me hungry The spiciness level was controlled by carefully varying the ratio of hot versus sweet paprika added to the dishes to vary the heat while keeping the chilli flavour constant. Participants were then recorded on high-definition video while they ate their meals to monitor their behaviours - including how much food and water they consumed, meal duration, and eating speed of grams per minute. The researchers also recorded bite rate, bite size, and collected ratings on appetite, liking and spiciness before and after the meal. "Formulating the recipes took a long time for the chicken tikka," Cunningham said. "It took so many rounds of testing that my lab mates were sick of it. "But science is about trial and error. I'd make a recipe, see how far I could push the spiciness, and we'd taste it. 2 "We did that until we reached a level where palatability was matched even when spiciness increased." Slower eating rate often means food is in the mouth longer, which can help signal fullness and lead to eating less, she explained. Other studies have slowed eating rate by manipulating texture, and similar effects have been observed. "What's critical here is that the reduction in intake occurred without negatively impacting how much participants liked the food," Hayes said. Water intake didn't differ significantly between spicy and mild meals, which showed that drinking more water and filling up faster wasn't a primary reason people ate less. Hayes also noted that appetite ratings made before and after the meals were similar, suggesting participants still felt full after the spicy meal, despite eating less of it. The team is now looking to understand how oral burn can impact other eating behaviours like snacking. Whole dried birds eye chillies can be bought for as little as £2 from Tesco.
