Candy or Carrots??...
In chapter 17, Taubes brings up an interesting point in the Luxuskonsumption hypothesis. It states that overeating gives someone the desire to exercise because they have more energy to expend. On the other hand, when someone doesn’t eat they become tired, decreasing their yearning to exercise. An important aspect that Taubes could have expanded on is the type of foods you eat. In my own experience, overeating sugary foods like candy, pop, chips, and cookies turns me into a couch potato. I don’t have the desire or right kind of energy to motivate me to exercise. However, when I eat foods that keep my blood sugars at a more constant level I have the tendency to want to work out. Maybe this is just me, but I am a firm believer that your physical active level depends heavily on the foods you chose to eat. In high school my track coach always enforced to stay away from pop, candy, and chips before a meet. Foods that cause a sudden increase in blood glucose levels will have a nasty outcome. Over indulging is not always a good thing, but maybe when it’s the right kind of food it will have benefits??!
Comments
I am the same way, when I eat healthy foods I have more energy and feel better in general. Maybe it is the sugar in unhealthy foods that makes us not want to do anything. Wanting to sit around and do nothing is a response to the high and then crash from all of the sugar.
Posted by: Liz K. | April 15, 2009 10:26 AM
I would like to think there is also a mental aspect to it. I know that when I am hungry and haven't eaten in a while, all I can think about is eating. I might go scrounging through the kitchen, and if i don't find anything I usually and not too happy and plant myself in front of the TV or computer until I eat something. Then of course, when I have eaten I'm obviously not thinking about it, and am more inclined to go do something. So to me it seems like there is both a mental and physical aspect to all of this.
Posted by: Devon C | April 15, 2009 11:08 AM
I was wondering about this too. Some kids get very active when they consume a lot of calories in the form of sugar. My reaction is similar to yours when I eat sugary junk food--I get tired. Maybe age has something to do with one's reaction to too many calories.
Posted by: Eli W | April 15, 2009 11:54 AM
I am the same way as well. Eating foods that are sugary make me feel awful and I don't have the energy to go out and be active. The contrary was true when I was younger though. I was always outside running around no matter what kinds of food I ate. I do think age has at least a little to do with it.
Posted by: Ashley L | April 15, 2009 12:00 PM
I think when you eat foods that are sugary you end up after a short while getting tired or into a low which leaves you uninspired if that makes sense. Also energy wise it is probably better or found in eating healthier foods not sugar types. I also agree with the last comment in that when your older, 40s for me, age seems to slow you down and things that were easy and natural in your 20s and 30s aren't quite so in the 40s. Meaning I agree with your comment that when younger it didn't matter what you ate but sure does later on....sugar definately doesn't help.
Lynda
Posted by: lyndas9254 | April 22, 2009 2:05 PM