Why starvation is the worst way to lose weight

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It is not uncommon for people to starve themselves when they want to lose the unwanted pounds. It does sound logical after all. You gain weight from eating too much; eating less should do the opposite. So how come it doesn’t work?

First of all, you must understand how food affects the body. For one, it sates hunger. More importantly, it provides nutrition and energy to the body, allowing you to function properly during the day.

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Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy and are used up every time you perform physical activities. Meanwhile, fat is the body’s secondary source of energy. It is what your body uses once your store of carbohydrates is drained. When you take in too much carbohydrates, your body fails to use the excess and stores it as fat, leading to extra weight. When you eat less, your body has no choice but to use your extra fat reserves to function, leading to weight loss.

This, however, is not the case with starvation. When you do not eat or you take meals at irregular intervals, your body enters a so-called “starvation mode,” where your body ensures your survival by storing whatever source of energy you can use in the form of fat even if you don’t really need it.

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Additionally, starvation weakens your metabolism, impairing your capacity to process food. This means that your body burns less fat and carbohydrates. It also weakens your muscles, decreasing your capacity to exercise. When combined, these factors easily lead to weight gain.

Therefore, the best way to lose weight is by eating a balanced and well-designed diet at regular intervals and combining this with exercise. For a comprehensive weight loss strategy, you can also visit a nutritionist or dietician.


Robert Pastore, PhD, specializes in the creation of diet plans for specific purposes. Visit this website for more information about his approach.

Retaining energy: It all boils down to chewing

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The human body stockpiles energy by consuming, digesting, and absorbing foods rich in carbohydrates and protein. In a recent panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo® , however, it was pointed out that more than consumption, chewing behaviors determine the level of energy the body retains.

“Particle size has bio-accessibility of the energy of the food that is being consumed,” explained Dr. Richard Mattes, professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. “The more you chew, the less is lost and more is retained in the body.”

Chewing habits differ from one person to another. Modifying them could be challenging. But if nutrition is taken into consideration, people might as well follow eating behaviors prescribed by science as optimal ways to tease out nutrients from food.


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During the conference, Mattes shared a study of almonds chewed with different frequencies: 10 times, 25 times, and 40 times. The chewers’ fecal fat and the energy loss equivalent to the number of chews were then measured. The findings suggest that with fewer chews, the larger particles are eliminated by the body. With more chews, the smaller particles are absorbed into the system.

“If the goal is to include food that is enjoyable and contribute protein, a whole almond is probably the way you want to go,” said Mattes. “If you’re interested in maximizing Vitamin E intake, chopped almonds, almond butter, or almond oil may be a better choice.”

In addition to almonds, mixed fibers from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were recommended by the panel as excellent high-energy sources.


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Dr. Robert Pastore studies biochemistry, nutrigenomics, and all aspects of human nutrition. Visit this website for more information on his specializations.