TORONTO – New research suggesting people who eat chocolate regularly tend to be slimmer has raised the hopes of many a sweet tooth. But will they be disappointed?
The University of California at San Diego study looked at 1,000 Americans and their diet, calorie intake and body mass index (BMI).
Researchers concluded that “adults who ate chocolate on more days a week were actually thinner – i.e. had a lower body mass index – than those who ate chocolate less often,” according to their press release on the university website.
This was reportedly despite the fact that those who ate chocolate more often ate more calories, and did not exercise more than those not frequently consuming chocolate.
“No differences in behaviors were identified that might explain the finding as a difference in calories taken in versus calories expended,” states the release.
But are headlines like “Regular chocolate eaters are thinner” misleading?
GlobalNews.ca asked registered dietitian Cassandra Reid, who supports the Executive Health program at Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto, to consider this new research. Reid specializes in weight loss and weight gain and lifespan nutrition for various demographics.
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Reid says if a study like this sounds too good to be true, it often is.
“Chocolate will not fix anyone’s problem, but intuitively, how will it help?” says Reid. “This is the question one should ask themselves.”
Her interpretation of the study is that the people eating chocolate frequently were being “intuitive eaters” and eliminating the mentality of chocolate as a “forbidden fruit.”
“It’s not something in the chocolate that is making their BMI go down,” explains Reid. “If you can have it in a controlled amount, you’ll be more satiated, and avoid binging which usually causes weight gain.”
So perhaps if people eat one square of chocolate three times a week, they’ll be less likely to devour an entire jar of Nutella in one sitting?
“If you learn how it can fit for you, then you can have it every day and get more enjoyment out of it, rather than overeating it,” says Reid.
With clients, Reid suggests 100 calories of chocolate or a similar treat per day (eaten with fruit to increase sweetness and volume). She says this can help with realistic sustainable weight loss.
While research is ongoing in regards to the benefits of chocolate for one’s health, self-reported data (the method used in this chocolate study) can sometimes be unreliable.
“If somebody is a closet binge eater, and they’re worried about who’s going to be reading this, they’re not going to be honest,” says Reid. “There’s objective data and there’s subjective data, and this is very subjective.”
In addition, the BMI measurement has come under scrutiny lately as the best way to measure health.
Two people with the same BMI may have very different nutrition and exercise habits, family histories and stress levels.
Reid suggests someone with a BMI of 28 who exercises daily, has little stress, eats well but consumes a high volume of food including extra dessert, shouldn’t be considered equally as “healthy” as someone with the same BMI who is a smoker, never exercises and eats fast food for every meal.
“BMI can be a marker and can help … but there are so many other components we’re bringing in to track your health,” adds Reid. “You can be a very unhealthy thin person.”
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