It’s the new year and more than just a few of us have made resolutions to eat better, lose weight and exercise more. I’m definitely on a mission to lose a few pounds and reset my metabolism after the holidays. I even blogged about it on New Year’s Day. Staying on track with healthy eating can be a bit of a roller coaster ride. For me, sugar is the fuel that causes the thrills and spills.
As a nutritionist, I’m always curious as what makes people overeat. Or, what motivates me to eat that last little sliver of cheesecake when I’m cleaning up after a party – even though I’m absolutely stuffed. Why do we even let ourselves get to the point that we’re absolutely stuffed? If we’re full, why do we pack down one more cookie or the last few bites of the cheeseburger? Or, in my case, two more pancakes floating in maple syrup.
Why do we do that to ourselves?
It’s complicated.
In 1960, women ages 20 to 29 averaged about 128 pounds. By 2000, the average weight of women in that age group had reached 157. For women aged 40 to 49, the average weight had gone from 140 pounds in 1960 to 169 pounds in 2000. *
I wonder what those numbers are a decade later, in 2010?
Two out of three American adults are overweight or obese. We’ve all heard the health risks that accompany being overweight. So, why do we keep shoveling the food in?
This is a test. I had a recipe ready to post today, but the focus at the beginning of the year is always the same and it got me thinking. Why do we do this over and over each year?
According to the research, there are certain food combinations that trigger overeating and understanding why isn’t easy. I can’t really tell you why I ate the last of the cheesecake while cleaning up the kitchen (and fought my daughter for it). I was full, I certainly didn’t need it. There’s no good reason, except that I like cheesecake and for some reason, I find it satisfying. At least while I’m eating it, but then immediately afterwards, I feel like poo and kick myself in the bum for overeating.
Bazillions of dollars are spent on dieting each year; people lose a few pounds, regain it, and then start the process all over again the next January 1st. Why? Back when I was growing up (the fifties and sixties), most people weren’t overweight. Weight was fairly stable. What’s different now?
I’ll expand on this in a later post, but for now, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a survey. Please choose which food you most crave from the choices below and leave your answer in the comment section. I’ll post the answers in a few days. Be honest, there’s no right or wrong. Which one looks the most tempting?
1. Bacon cheeseburger with all the trimmings
2. Brownie ice cream sundae with whipped cream
3. Raw, fresh broccoli
4. Kraft macaroni and cheese
5. Pancakes with butter and pure maple syrup
6. Chocolate cake with chocolate icing
Okay, guys – let me know which one of these choices sets your heart on fire? Are you drooling yet? Which lever would you keep pounding?
I’ve already scarfed up the pancakes, if you’re wondering.
Melissa
* Weight data from The End of Overeating, Dr. David Kessler (Nutrition Action Healthletter)
Tags: cravings, dieting, overeating, weight gain, weight loss
January 7th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
We certainly did fight over the cheesecake! As for what I crave, it’s certainly more than one…here they are: brownie ice cream sundae, broccoli, mac and cheese and pancakes. Is it worse that I crave so many?
January 7th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
so all of those except the pancakes or brocolli my least favorite veg, make my heart pound but going with my gut (pun intented) hands down it’s the bacon cheesburger especially from DC’s own 5 guys!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Brownie Sundae w/Whipped Cream – even tho I’m allergic to milk, if I could eat it, this is what I would choose.
The burger & choc cake would also be in the running. Forget the broccoli, if I eat much more of it, I’ll turn into it!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
It depends on the time of day. Near lunchtime? That cheeseburger. During my weak-snack time (which is usually after dinner, late at night, when I’m tired and not really hungry), that sundae.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Bacon cheeseburger
January 7th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
difficult decision! It would depend on time of day for me too – either the mac & cheese or the pancakes. I love broccoli. The cheeseburger and the sundae, for me – eeew!
January 7th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Broccoli – honestly! =)
January 7th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
None of the above
I would choose beer
January 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Broccoli! I can’t believe it. Where are the chips, Melissa?!? Not every emo eater is a sugar junkie. If you’d put up some really good–looking, spicydelicious corn chips, even rosemary roasted potatoes, I might have maybe gone for that. I guess I’m converted. Scary! Gulp.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
It’s a toss up between the chocolate cake and brownie sundae (with non-dairy ice cream and whipped topping)-They both look so good.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Actually, I don’t crave any one of those choices anymore than the other. I would say that I certain points in the day I would crave the brownie over the burger, but after a long day at work, I really crave a good juicy burger. And pancakes almost every Saturday morning!
January 7th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Wow! Well, since I can’t eat them (ha), the pancakes look terribly tasty
I believe the issue is convenience — we used to have to work for (or at least wait for) our food. The ease with which we can grab just about anything makes it far too easy to overeat (IMO).
January 7th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
right now? Broccoli (guess my lunch salad wasn’t big enough), or mac and cheese with broccoli, now that gets my mouth watering. I have to say a slice of conventional cheese pizza would be at the top of my not-pictured list. After dinner I’d probably want that chocolate cake.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Those pancakes sure look good! On the other hand, ice cream calls my name. Like many others I sabotage my own efforts!
January 7th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Definitely, hands down the brownie sundae. I can’t lie.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
It’s a tie between the bacon cheeseburger and the brownie sundae most times. But when I am tired, or sick and hurting, I love a really good bowl of Kraft M&C.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
2-6-1-4-3-5.
At least right now. As others have said, it depends on the day and time, but nighttime is when I want me some sugar.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I’d pick the burger with all the trimmings
January 8th, 2010 at 2:15 am
Melissa,
It would have to be the pancakes. Part of me thinks it should be the chocolate cake but I’ve eaten so many shockers over the years, my memory banks are telling me ‘it will taste of plastic and whipped air’… if on the other hand someone confirmed that it was truly a chocolate dream, I’d quickly swap the pancakes
Last night one of the UK tv channels had what I assume was a repeat documentary on why some people find it practically impossible to lose weight. All the usual stuff was discussed about western gluttony etc. They also featured a story about some obese mice in a lab. Certain hormones (I think) were found in the thin ones which, when given to the fat mice resulted in speedy weight loss. Research has only just started apparently as to the complex nature of the chemicals associated with appetite.
Anyway, if we all wait for the scientists to bring out a revolutionary slimming tonic, it’ll be too late for some. So the best shot we have is to follow this blog, eat the right stuff and exercise more.
The whole cravings thing is interesting…. ask us again in a month’s time when we’re knee deep into our new eating regimes. If I exclude meat for long enough I yearn for that. On the Atkins diet I yearned for any green veg…. which I can tell you was a first for me! Could it be that we all want what we can’t have?
Cid
January 8th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Melissa,
Sorry, none of the above. I would enjoy a savoury filled roll and might be tempted with a little of the Brownie Ice Cream to follow.
My weakness is good continental (Swiss) chocolates which I have just selfishly devoured from Christmas.
I would not bother during summer time for some reason. Perhaps it is all about comfort eating of sorts?
Anne
January 8th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Brownie Icecream Sundae. Haven’t had one in over a year since being diagnosedvLactose Intolerant and Celiac and was my favorite.
January 8th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Although, I actually crave Annie’s Gluten Free Mac Cheese since I haven’t had the Kraft brand for years…Plus any salty/crunchy snack.
January 8th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is my choice this morning. But, then, pasta is my downfall. Never mind that I haven’t eaten Kraft mac in years and years — that picture has given me a craving.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Brownie ice cream sundae without a doubt. Still doable at Outback with their Thunder Down Under flourless brownie BTW for those who are gluten free, although I haven’t had that in years. Ice cream is really what always calls my name.
Shirley
January 8th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
First reaction: Cake! LOVE cake.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Sundae first – then mac and cheese, esp if I could eat Kraft again. Then the burger (if it was on a nice GF bun) and then the broccoli, although at times I do crave vegetables. But I would eat the sundae first.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
wow – this is quite something. I agree with Cid – I think most often it’s the things we cannot have that we desire most.
Funny enough, I feel horrible after I’ve eaten an ice cream sundae. But, at this very moment in time – that looks far more delicious and appetizing than anything else pictured up there.
I’m not all that shocked at myself: it’s veritably swimming in chocolate. That’s all that matters:)
January 8th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Pancakes smothered in syrup and butter win for me.
The brownie sundae/broccoli come in close for a tie at second place though. I think the broc craving is coming from the fact I haven’t eaten a raw vegetable in almost 4 months though…. and of course the pile of carbs and sugar is becauce I haven’t eaten anything that resembles a pancake in about 4 or 5 years! The burger and mac & cheese just make me think of sodium and MSG and water retention!
I’m excited to hear your results on this little study!! Xo
January 8th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
the bacon cheeseburger allll the way.
January 8th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I confess… chocolate cake!
January 8th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. So I would say the cake. Now, if the mac & cheese was homemade – hands down my first pick!
January 8th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
great question. First choice would be chocolate cake with chocolate icing, then anything with bacon. I’m soooo healthy!
January 8th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Honestly, the broccoli. I’ve never been a burger girl and KD has never been something I love. I would enjoy the cake or pancakes, but I like those both in moderation =D.
January 8th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Hi Melissa!
Here are three inputs for your survey:
Sophie picks the broccoli.
My husband picks the chocolate cake.
And I pick the chocolate cake too.
I assume this is just based on the visual imagery, since I am sure that cake is not gfree!
January 8th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
And of course chocolate makes me feel bad so I don’t eat it even if it’s gfree BUT the chocolate cake appeals to me, which I think is what you were going for?
January 9th, 2010 at 3:55 am
Melissa,
A great post. Broccoli and macaroni cheese in that order. Would never eat the desserts because I prefer savoury food.I think our mind pushes us to finish what is left in the pan because it tastes good even though our stomach is telling us we’ve had enough. As a chef I have always had to work on the the fact that after two to three mouthfulls of a dish the brain becomes ‘bored’ which is in part the reason for the explosion of ‘tasting menus’ in expensive restaurants. More dishes, smaller portions. Which is right I wonder?
January 9th, 2010 at 5:56 am
None of the above. I really crave donuts…white powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar donuts are my main weakness.
January 9th, 2010 at 7:03 am
I can’t eat any of those tasty treat. Not even the broccoli! Still hoping I’ll heal enough to get the cole crops back one day. I miss cabbage the most. LOVE cole slaw. LOVE steamed cabbage.
Since giving up all the foods on your list, I really don’t have the same cravings I used to. The maple syrup on those pancakes looks really tempting. My guilty pleasure is French toast drenched in syrup.
January 9th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Chocolate Cake…so yummy…must be home made as this imbues it with the love I love to consume!
January 9th, 2010 at 8:18 am
Hmmm…I think it would be the bacon cheeseburger but WITHOUT all of the trimmings. I wouldn’t want to ruin a good thing with vegetables.
And, the ice cream part of the sundae is a close second.
January 9th, 2010 at 8:31 am
The broccoli for sure. I’m a huge broccoli fan. Although, I’d prefer it slightly steamed and with some garlic and sea salt
January 9th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Bacon Cheeseburger baby!
January 9th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Mac and Cheese please!
January 9th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Bacon Cheeseburger, fer sure!
January 9th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Can’t help it, but I’d love to have that chocolate cake most! Although that burger is really tempting too.. What I usually crave most are potato chips though.
January 9th, 2010 at 10:43 am
The pancakes and a big cup of coffee! I’m a sucker for breakfast foods.
January 9th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I have read and enjoyed this blog forever and successfully tried and delighted in many recipes. Thank you!
My husband says the burger. I had a much harder time choosing but would go with the brownie sundae – sans whip.
January 9th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Ben and I would both pick the brownie sundae. It was a bad idea to look at your blog right before dinner – my stomach is now growling!
January 9th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
The burger. Maybe because it’s almost 9:00 and I haven’t eaten dinner! But I love bacon, cheese and a juicy hamburger with all the trimmings, esp. the french fries. Give me the grease any day!
If the Macaroni and Cheese was from Noodles, maybe but Kraft–no way–it even looks like the “cheap” Kraft. Not tempting at all.
Only like homemade ice-cream, the runner-up? The chocolate cake FOR SURE! 2nd Place for me!
January 10th, 2010 at 2:15 am
The chocolate cake, although the mac and cheese is running a really strong second.
January 10th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
If I could eat it, the mac and cheese would probably win. But the chocolate cake and brocolli with firecracker sauce were running a close second.
January 11th, 2010 at 9:59 am
The pancakes, definitely! Which is funny because I usually don’t like bread-type foods anymore…
January 11th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Mac ‘n cheese for me.
January 11th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I want the brocolli with the cheese sauce (from mac & cheese)
January 11th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
brownie sundae, no contest
January 12th, 2010 at 11:10 am
The brownie sundae. I just finished lunch and the hot fudge with the cool ice cream I sounds the best to me. The pancakes are second. I’ll just share my opinion on the food thing. I think that what most people eat during any time is history is more of a statement on what is going on culturally more than based on nutrician. People are far removed from their food now – choices are made based on what is quickest and what has been best marketed to them. People don’t garden or cook to the degree they have in the past. The foods in the cultural norm are not what is best. But most don’t take the time to go beyond.
January 12th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Definitely the chocolate brownie and oozing icecream! Even if it’s got gluten in it, I’d eat it.
January 12th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
chocolate cake with I hope buttercream frosting
January 12th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I love being able to “listen” to the way you think. You are so wise, Melissa! I’m attempting to get back on track too. And while I drooled at the sight of all of those photos — the burger really sticks out for me.
In a close second is the mac n cheese.
January 12th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Bacon Cheeseburger, hands down.
January 12th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
the pancakes — especially Pam’s Gluten Free. Yum!
January 13th, 2010 at 7:41 am
Melissa,
.
Bet you wished you hadn’t asked
Anne
January 13th, 2010 at 10:14 am
HOLY COW, what a response!
EVERYONE – thank you for your insightful, honest, humorous and creative answers! I have been totally blown away by the response to this post. As a nutritionist (and an obsessive thinker), I have lots of changing thoughts on why we overeat and why we insist on doing it even when we don’t want to. What is it about a piece of chocolate cake or a big, fat, juicy burger that has complete control over us?! How can that stack of pancakes boss me around? Grrrr…
I can’t go through here and answer each comment personally, which I usually try to do, but you’ve given me so much material on which to create my next post. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it!
Okay, my friends, on to what this means (at least in my pancake-filled mind).
Although, after going through all these again, I think maybe I want the brownie sundae right now.
Stay tuned!
Melissa
xo
January 13th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
If you had lobster, crab legs, shrimp (any seafood really!) that would have gotten my vote hands down! But of all the things you have on here, I would choose the pancakes. Yum.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Oh this is going to be interesting, I look forward to hearing your tallied results.
I went back and forth between the broccoli and the chocolate cake. I haven’t had chocolate in over a month so I think I am feeling a little chocolate-deprived at the moment.
I can never handle too much of the really rich stuff anyways so my vote is for fresh, raw, crunchy broccoli – but it would have to have some sort of salty, creamy dip to go with it.
January 16th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Again, thank you everyone! Great comments and I appreciate every one of them. Even the beer guy (that would be you, Jack).
Part 2 to follow! Stay tuned.
Melissa
xo
January 18th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
That would be a toss up between the burger and pancakes for me, but truth be told there exists only one single unhealthy food on earth that I truly, vehemently, and regularly crave: cinnamon rolls (cinnamon buns, sticky buns…whatever they are called they are pure NIRVANA!)
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:14 pm
gotta be the chocolate cake!
January 26th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Definitely the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting!!! But I can no longer have it!
January 27th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Definitely the chocolate sundae… not that I would though. The brocoli would be a lot more temping if it was steamed, marinated, baked, fried, or otherwise dolled up in some way!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Bacon cheeseberger, even tho I don’t even eat bacon. But that is just today. On other days it would definitely be the brownie sundae or the chocolate cake (i’d leave the icing). Thanks for some very interesting posts!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Actually – I don’t really crave any of those.
I would, however, enjoy apple crisp.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Bacon Cheeseburger, love meat, LOVE bacon, wish I could eat the cheddar and a nice hamburger bun with taste, texture and fortitude to hold up to the burger and all the fixins’ That would be cool.
BTW I love your blog, it’s clean, (love the white wall paper) clear, easy to read, the pictures are bright and inviting the content is fresh and interesting. I’ll be sure to tell my friends and students. Take Care.