Introduction
We all know that eating unhealthy foods can lead to weight gain, but did you know that the packaging of those foods can also be a contributing factor? A recent study has found a shocking link between food packaging and weight gain. The study, conducted by Eat This Not That, found that certain types of food packaging can lead to an increase in calorie consumption and, ultimately, weight gain. This article will explore the findings of the study and provide tips on how to make healthier food choices.
The Shocking Way Food Packaging Is Linked to Weight Gain, Study Finds — Eat This Not That
A new study has revealed a shocking link between food packaging and weight gain. According to the research, people who eat food from packages that are larger than necessary are more likely to gain weight than those who eat from smaller packages.
The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge, looked at the eating habits of more than 2,000 people over a period of four years. The researchers found that people who ate from larger packages were more likely to gain weight than those who ate from smaller packages.
The researchers believe that this is because people tend to eat more when they are presented with larger packages. This is because larger packages can make it easier to eat more than necessary, leading to weight gain.
The study also found that people who ate from larger packages were more likely to eat unhealthy foods, such as processed snacks and sugary drinks. This is because larger packages often contain more of these unhealthy foods than smaller packages.
The findings of this study are concerning, as they suggest that food packaging can have a significant impact on our eating habits and weight gain. It is important to be aware of the size of the packages we are buying and to be mindful of how much we are eating.
If you are trying to lose weight, it is important to be aware of the size of the packages you are buying and to be mindful of how much you are eating. Eating from smaller packages can help you to control your portion sizes and make healthier food choices.
When you’re trying to lose weight, it will always be important to look at the nutritional info on packaging. But new research in the journal Environmental Science & Technology suggests that a factor you might be missing is the packaging itself.
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) noted that two chemicals in plastic products, bisphenols and phthalates, have been shown in previous research to disrupt metabolism in a way that promotes obesity. But, they add in this research, those are only a small fraction of compounds found in plastics.
Related: The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science
To understand whether others might also play a role, they looked at 34 everyday products—including yogurt containers, kitchen sponges, and beverage bottles—with 629 unique chemical compounds, and found 11 that could also mess with metabolism.
“The takeaway message is that any ordinary plastic product might have a mix of substances that could contribute to excess weight or lead to obesity,” Martin Wagner, PhD, associate professor in NTNU’s Department of Biology, tells Eat This, Not That!. “That’s especially true since these chemicals don’t always stay in the material, but may leach out into food and drink, where they might then be consumed.”
The extent of how much plastic packaging might contribute to weight gain is unknown, Wagner adds, so that makes it more challenging to know whether you should veer away from this packaging altogether.
At the very least, Wagner said, it’s helpful to limit plastic use when possible, especially with those two main culprits, bisphenols and phthalates. That’s true for takeout food as well as groceries, according to another recent study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
In that research, samples of fast food from six chain restaurants revealed that many wrappers and containers contained phthalates, with the highest concentrations in meat-based items like burritos and hamburgers.
Plus, it’s not just food that might be an issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these chemicals are used in hundreds of products, including personal care items like shampoos and soap.
Although you may not be able to avoid these chemicals completely, being aware of them could be helpful for cutting down at least a bit, says Wagner. That could give your metabolism the break it needs, and maybe even prevent some weight gain along the way.
For more about plastics, check out One Major Side Effect of Drinking From a Plastic Cup, According to Experts.
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