newsflash: i love to eat

From Atkins dieters so bored they lose weight:

Three major studies were carried out in 2003 in which obese women were put on either Atkins or a classic low-calorie, low-fat diet.

One of these studies, which was six months long, found that Atkins dieters lost nearly twice as much weight as the others: 8.5 kilograms against 3.9 kilograms.

The other two studies were 12 months long. They found Atkins dieters lost weight more quickly and were still ahead at six months, but by 12 months, there was an insignificant difference in weight loss between the two groups.

The Danish researchers said any weight loss from Atkins was unlikely to come from ketosis, as urinary traces of ketones (the chemical by-product of this process) are so low that very little energy would be used up this way.

What might cause weight loss with low-carb diets is boredom. The diet is so monotonous and simple that people might just eat less, they suggest.

I can believe this. I love meat with a passion that regularly horrifies my vegan friends so you'd think Atkins would be the perfect diet for me, but the truth is that I am also insane about carbs; it would just never work. My vanity, such as it, cannot compete with my love of food.

Butter-laden mashed potatoes and popcorn, glazed donuts and frosted cupcakes, bowls filled with hot steaming udon or scoops of ice cream, these are things that bring me as much delight as strips of perfectly cooked bacon.

Another possibility is that protein induces a stronger satieting effect than fat or carbohydrates, the authors said. Basically, people feel fuller after a protein-rich meal.

Well, unless you are me! Abe took me to Peter Luger recently and after eating tasty meats until we could barely move, we topped the meal off with a slice of delicious pecan pie and a healthy dollop of whipped cream. And dinners with friends at New Green Bo are not complete unless we have rolled ourselves across the street to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Is it possible that I have two separate stomachs, one for the main meal and another just for dessert?

Two of my friends love food so much that they started food blogs: Alaina's A Full Belly is about eating well, especially in New York and San Francisco, while Yimay's Holy Shitake is mainly about her adventures in the kitchen (beautiful photos included, natch), with a few crazy news items thrown in for good measure.

Other food blogs I'm currently enjoying include Slice (all about pizza!), Movable Feast and Gothamist Food. If you've got any food blog recommendations, please feel free to send me an email or leave a comment.