The Twinkie Diet...Seriously???

The Twinkie Diet takes calorie counting to a whole new level. In recent health news, Professor Mark Haub from Kansas State University underwent a 10 week study of calorie restriction in which he lost 27 pounds. Prepackaged overly processed “food” made up 2/3 of his diet. He did supplement with a multi-vitamin, assorted veggies (eaten only in front of his children so as not to set a bad example – ha!) and a protein shake. His reasoning was, in weight loss, pure calorie counting is what matters most - not the nutritional value of the food. Can this be taken seriously as a weight loss method?

Although calories do count, the nutritional value of the "food" that makes up those calories is the most important factor to be considered, especially over the long term, and how those calories are broken down and used by the body is vital. Professor Haub’s study in calorie counting alone for overly processed food was only for the short term and there was no evidence to show the possible negative effects on his blood sugar levels or cholesterol over the long term.