Olive oil or butter: which makes you eat more bread? – eat right News
When given a choice between topping your bread with olive oil or butter, you might choose the former because it’s better for you and easier to use. But will it make you eat more bread? To find out, researchers from the Food & Brand Lab at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign randomly served 340 diners at an Italian restaurant either olive oil or butter with their bread. Olive-oil users added 26 percent more calories per slice to their bread but ate 23 percent less bread. By the end of the meal, the olive-oil dippers had eaten 264 calories from bread and oil, while the butter users took in 319 calories from bread and butter–17 percent more calories.
There are two basic reasons that olive-oil eaters ate less bread, says study leader Brian Wansink, Ph.D., a professor of nutritional science and consumer psychology. One is that olive oil is more satiating than butter; the other that it is less familiar to most people than butter is. “It is generally easier to eat greater quantities of familiar foods than unfamiliar ones,” Wansink says.
To keep calories down if you can’t keep your hands out of the breadbasket, opt for oil, Wansink suggests. “You’ll get sated quicker and stop eating sooner. Better yet, allow only three pieces of bread on the table to begin with.” Conversely, he says, “If one slice will satisfy you, it’s OK to go with butter if you like it better.” The research was published in the International Journal of Obesity.–S.C.
Nutrition counselors at a glance
Looking for someone to help you eat better? There are many different nutrition “counselors” to choose from–some more qualified than others. Unfortunately, you can’t always tell by someone’s title; anyone can call herself a “nutritionist,” for example. It’s a good idea to ask about schooling, background and certification or licensing–requirements vary from state to state. The chart at right will help you narrow down the choices.
Nutrition degree Certification
or coursework or licensure
Registered Bachelor’s degree Many states license or
dietitian (R.D.) in nutrition; hospital certify dietitians. National
internship. Must certifications for some
pass an American clinical specialties require
Dietetic Association additional examinations.
exam Additional L.D.
credential indicates
Chiropractor Rarely No nutrition credentials
required
Nutritionist Varies; there is no Perhaps. Ask to see
legal definition. credentials and
Some may be investigate background.
self-appointed.
Naturopathic Extensive nutrition Most states don’t license
doctor (N.D.) coursework N.D.’s, and licenses are
general, not specifically
for nutrition.
Individualized Sells
programs products
Registered One-on-one No
dietitian (R.D.) counseling is
tailored to each
client.
Chiropractor Rarely; many use a Many sell the
computer program to supplements
“prescribe’ dietary they
treatment. “prescribe.”
Nutritionist Sometimes Sometimes
Naturopathic Yes, with an emphasis Sometimes
doctor (N.D.) on illness prevention
–Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D.
To find a practitioner or check on credentials, contact the following:
* American Dietetic Association (312-899-0040, www.eatright.org)
* American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (703-610-9037, naturopathic.org)
* Federation of Chiropathic licensing Boards (970-356-3500, fclb.org)
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COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group
