Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight

by Linda Bacon

An interesting cross-cultural survey of food attitudes in the United States, France, Belgium, and Japan found that Americans associated food with pleasure the least and health the most.24 When asked what came to mind upon hearing the words “chocolate cake,” Americans were most likely to say “guilt” while the French connected it with “celebration.” Overall, the researchers found, we derive less pleasure from eating than others. What a shame.

Your body (and your weight regulation system) can effectively be fueled by hamburgers and donuts when they’re consumed in moderation and in the context of an overall nutritious diet. Once you know how to listen to your body’s signals, you’ll get comfortable eating amounts that satisfy you without overdoing it. It’s only in excess that they crowd out more nutritious options, and your body nudges you to get more calories in order to get its varied nutrient needs met. So instead of focusing on taking food away, think about what you want to add for an overall nutritious diet.

As researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, who used to be among the chief recommenders of a low-fat diet, proclaim, “It is now increasingly recognized that the low-fat campaign has been based on little scientific evidence. . . .”422