Is It Possible to Lose Weight While Eating Out?

What would you give up to lose weight?  Would you stop eating out at restaurants?  Recent research shows you may not have to give up dining trips to restaurants.  In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior in January 2012, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a "weight-gain prevention" intervention.  Their goal was not to provide a weight loss program but to teach participants how to prevent weight gain while still having the ability to eat out at restaurants.  In this study, 35 women between the ages of 40 and 59 who ate out frequently were recruited for this 6-week program.  The main purpose of this program was to teach participants how to reduce caloric and fat intake while eating out.

What was the outcome?  The intervention group not only prevented weight gain while eating out, they actually lost an average of 3.7 pounds.  How?  The skills these participants learned in the program carried over to their dietary habits at home.  Based on food journals completed in the study, the intervention group reduced their caloric intake at restaurants by 124 calories.  In addition, they reduced total daily calories by 297 calories (this includes the calorie reduction when eating out).  Therefore, this total calorie reduction resulted in weight loss.  What is even more interesting is that these participants did NOT reduce the number of times they ate out even though they participated in the study!!

So this shows us that it is possible to enjoy foods that other people cook and still at least maintain weight or even lose weight.  By learning skills on how to make better choices, we have the tools to make weight loss that much easier.  Where do you start?  First it is important to learn a little about food and what the "macronutrients" are in food.  Over the next few blog entries, we will look at macronutrients (i.e., fat, protein, carbohydrates) and teach you what they are and how they will affect your weight gain/maintenance/loss.  We will begin to teach you these skills necessary to make better choices.  

Still need extra help?  Why not come in to PROMATx Health Club and talk with our nutrition specialist?  Find out how well-balanced your nutrition is and find out how you can ensure you receive the proper nutrients.  As usual, we are here to help you but you have to make the first step.  Call us today and set up your appointment.  Make your weight loss permanent so you don't cycle through weight gain and weight loss every few years.

Study reference:  Elsevier Health Sciences (2012, January 10). Would you stop eating out to lose weight?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 9, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2012/01/120110093557.htm