Does healthy food make you hungry?

If you're anything like me, you do your best to eat the healthiest foods possible. We all know why this is a good thing so I won't get into the details. However, I would like to talk about the concept of healthy eating and why some people think it makes us hungrier. I recently discovered an article, "When Healthy Food Makes You Hungry," that discusses this very thing. And there is, after all, a scientific study of the same name that seems to solidify this idea. So maybe it's true. Let's talk:

The study's author suggests that the underlying root of the issue is healthy eating versus eating healthy. In other words, giving value to healthy eating because we want to versus eating healthy foods because we have to. When we put value on the importance of establishing a healthy eating routine, we care about the choices we make and so—we make choices that both please and sustain us. When we eat healthy foods, we might only be doing so because they happen to be the only thing available. And at that point, we risk picking nourishment without acknowledging satisfaction which leads us to come back for more—more of something that might not be so healthy—an hour or two later. To quote the article, and to further explain this issue:

The idea, of course, is that "people assume that healthy food is less fulfilling or satisfying and thus eating healthy food conflicts with satisfying our appetite." That said, if we choose to eat healthy food and value healthy food over the bad stuff—that idea is fairly quickly proven wrong because healthy food is both delicious and satisfying. Am I right? Today's lesson: Don't just eat healthy, WANT to eat healthy. Then you won't be so concerned with what you're missing out on because you'll have a better understanding of why exactly you're choosing to miss out. And you might not overeat later.

Conquer that, and you'll surely conquer the gym. Just sayin'.

I am also sayin' right here/right now that I have some of the best clients a personal trainer could ask for. When I was at the gym yesterday, the delivery man handed over a box from Harry & David. Much to my surprise, it had my name on it. I thought to myself—it's probably some delicious fresh fruit. That's what comes to my mind when I think about Harry & David gifts. Oh man, was I ever wrong:

Holy goodness and love in my mouth full of chocolate deliciousness! Sweet box of goodies, I love you! Isn't this fantastic?! Now, what I love about it the most is that it represents healthy eating with a touch of fun. These particular clients of mine are truly healthy eaters, and they're in the gym three times a week, but clearly they know it's essential to leave room for some treats on occasion. Now, it's up to me to maintain the "on occasion" aspect of that thought. Do we trust me with an entire box of chocolates? No, we certainly do not. This'll be a huge exercise in moderation and in discipline. I can do it. I can do it...after I have one truffle:


Good thing I know a thing or two about staying fit and active, eh?
Dear client, if you're reading this, I thank you much.

Question: Does healthy food make you hungry?
 
REMINDER! Don't forget to enter my Me & Goji giveaway! You just might win a cereal capsule containing the ingredients of your choice. (Contest ends at midnight EST on Friday, December 24, 2010).