In bulge battle, not all calories are the same

Calories are the currency by which many people today measure the unhealthiness of foods. The more calories a food has, the worse it is, right?

Perhaps. But a new study suggests that not all calories are the same.

In particular, weight watchers should avoid so-called refined carbohydrates, often found in sugary foods, drinks and white bread.

Organizers of the study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, gave nearly identical milkshakes to two groups of men.

The only difference was that one group’s milkshakes contained high-glycemic corn syrup, while the other’s milkshakes were made with low-glycemic carbohydrates.

Researchers found that those who drank the high-glycemic carb milkshakes experienced a significant drop in blood sugar levels and within four hours became quite hungry.

Dr. David Ludwig, the lead author of the study, told the New York Times that rather than tell people to “eat less” they should be told to “eat less refined carbohydrates and more whole foods.”

Read the full story here.