In a study published in the July 2008 issue of Appetite, “preliminary” research links an increased intake of “low-energy density foods, specifically mushrooms, in place of high-energy density foods, like lean ground beef” with the prevention and treatment of obesity. Interesting? Yes. Surprising? No.
Participants were randomly given either mushroom or beef entrées (lasagna, napoleon, sloppy Joe’s and chili) over four days. Subjects then switched entrées the next week to consume the other ingredient, either mushroom or beef depending on what they’d eaten the previous week. Researchers found that those who ate the meat meals took in “420 more calories and 30 more grams of fat per day over the 4 day test period”.
Seems simple, right? Eating more “low-energy” or low-calorie foods like mushrooms and other vegetables in place of higher calorie foods like meat will help you lose weight (of course). But according to Dr. Cheskin, lead researcher and director of John Hopkins Weight Management Center, “the most intriguing finding was that subjects seemed to accept mushrooms as a palatable and suitable culinary substitute for meat”. In addition, subjects who ate the lower calorie meal did not eat more later in the day to compensate.
So why not try it. Substitute a higher-calorie item like beef in a hamburger with a lower-calorie item like a Portobello mushroom. If you have any other good ideas, be sure to let us know!
- Lauren
Related Articles: New Mushroom Study Shows the Power of Energy Density
Labels: healthy eating, Lauren, Recent Research
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