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Re: "how to get fat when you fly"

swimmer52's picture
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started by swimmer52 on May 9, 2008

This was a great article that even reminded me of a few things I would do that seemed harmless.
The part that interested me what how many different ways one can spike their insulin which works against fat burning. If a diet coke can do it (sweet but no calories), then what about chewing Trident gum many times throughout the day? That's also sweet without any calories.
I'm wondering if my gum habit could be working against me in my efforts to reach my race weight.

"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"

NotAsFast's picture
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NotAsFast posted 22 weeks ago.

I find anything that is artificial goes against nature. Body thinks its going to get sugar, then doesn't. Something has to give.

PJT's picture
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PJT posted 22 weeks ago.

Doesn't the article indirectly recommend gum as a way to combat "mindless snacking?"

swimmer52's picture
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swimmer52 posted 22 weeks ago.

I stumbled upon this article this morning, very interesting:
http://blog.nutritiondata.com/ndblog/2007/08/sugar-free-do-1.html

This quote nailed my question about Trident gum on the head:
"And there’s other research suggesting that artificial sweeteners may disrupt your brain's ability to regulate caloric intake..."

"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"

kylie's picture
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kylie posted 22 weeks ago.

I also really enjoyed that article. Some great thoughts in there. And next time I travel that 20 min pre-flight run won't get skipped!

GregL81's picture
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GregL81 posted 22 weeks ago.

PJT wrote:
Doesn't the article indirectly recommend gum as a way to combat "mindless snacking?"
So what's the verdict??? Is chewing sugar-free gum bad for you or helpful to prevent mindless snacking?

swimmer52's picture
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swimmer52 posted 22 weeks ago.

I'll try going off gum for a week and see what happens.
I recently was cutting back my calories on a plan to drop a pound a week. It worked perfectly for the first 3 weeks, my body seems to have adjusted and my weight has plateaued already :( I'm wondering if I drop the gum if it'll get things moving again.

"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"

TriOnLife's picture
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TriOnLife posted 22 weeks ago.

Hmm.. I rather disliked that article. I thought the intent was good - mind how you manage yourself while traveling. Excellent point. It's all too easy to get lazy and eat poorly.

That having been said I thought the tone was needlessly condescending and I also took issue with his assertion that "the body takes any metabolized preservatives in those packages and stores them as fat cells". Is there any real science behind that? As far as I know adults don't ever make new fat cells - they just pack the ones they have with more fat. Furthermore, just because compounds are fat soluble doesn't mean that they make fat cells (they won't) or even that they stay in your body. Your liver and kidneys make it their business to get stuff like that into your urine so you can get rid of it.

And really people- how much damage do you think a little chewing gum will cause? There's a definite line between managing your nutrition and being neurotic. I'm anti-artificial sweeteners and don't use them myself but if I need some gum to keep my ears open I'll probably go with sugarless for the sake of my teeth.

I agree that a wise person packs some apples and maybe some cheese and a nutrition bar for a plane ride but let's get real - 4 or 5 hours of traveling isn't going to tank months of training and eating well.

Sorry to be the grump but that's just the way I see it.

- A 21st Century Mom who is tri-ing to get better instead of just getting older
www.breakingthetape.com/21stcenturymom

fastdog5's picture
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fastdog5 posted 22 weeks ago.

+1. You could apply the same logic from the article to anyone who sits behind a desk for a living. Eat healthy, pack a lunch instead of eating out, drink tea or water instead of soda, get up & walk around every so often.

On the gum issue, I hardly think research "suggesting" that artificial sweeteners "may" disrupt your brain's ability to regulate caloric intake nails anything on the head. Pass the Extra!

TriSooner's picture
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TriSooner posted 22 weeks ago.

TriOnLife wrote:
"the body takes any metabolized preservatives in those packages and stores them as fat cells". Is there any real science behind that? As far as I know adults don't ever make new fat cells - they just pack the ones they have with more fat.
Winner winner chicken dinner. Finally, another skeptic that doesn't fall for every new fad. Good retort.

Tribro's picture
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Tribro posted 22 weeks ago.

i too enjoyed the article. while it was written in a sarcastic tone, I think it made me pay closer attention to what was written, and so some of the suggestions sunk in. I know it'll come to mind next time I fly or find myself outside my normal elements/routine (or yes even in the workplace - though nobody will take my coffee away...).

i took it more as things to think about and try to do than the gospel on nutrition. good points made, and I'll be chewing sugar free gum instead of snacking on something I don't need. :)

cjhoffmn's picture
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cjhoffmn posted 22 weeks ago.

I just hope it wasn't really about a real person. I mean seriously, if I were the person that the article was written about, name released or not, I think I'd be pretty annoyed for having my actions belittled quite so. I have to travel quite a bit and have struggled with many of these same issues. Sometimes, despite my better intentions, some of the very same things being derided here are, well, the best option available.

In any event, I found it a useful piece to think about some of the issues, but certainly wouldn't be interesting in working with the author. Imagine if your coach was going to take your food log and roast you in an open forum on the internet - but don't worry, he won't release your name....

But, you know, it's the 2nd time I've seen TriSooner write "winner winner chicken dinner" and for that purpose, it was worth it. I think we should start a contest to see who can get that particular moniker the most.

To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!

TriOnLife's picture
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TriOnLife posted 22 weeks ago.

"but certainly wouldn't be interesting in working with the author."

I think you nailed it there. The guy had good intentions and had some valid stuff to say but the way he said it - ick! And I'm pretty sure that writing articles like this is suppsed to get him business, not drive it away. So word up, Mr. Coach. Play nice!

ps - Please don't take my Chicken Dinner away! :-)

- A 21st Century Mom who is tri-ing to get better instead of just getting older
www.breakingthetape.com/21stcenturymom

magnus's picture
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magnus posted 21 weeks ago.

the article intrested me, but the tone of it just pissed me off.