For years, binge-eating has been thought to be an almost entirely secretive, private habit, but some new research by Dr. Gayle Timmerman of the University of Texas at Austin's School of Nursing shows that binge eating may be more likely to occur in restaurants, especially for women. Binge eating is overeating compulsively and in a restaurant that can translate to ordering an appetizer and a dessert when you might only otherwise have been hungry enough for one main course. Women tended to take in an extra 200-300 calories and about 15 grams of fat when they ate out.
The frequency with which the study participants, as well as people in general, eat out is one of the biggest causes for concern. The participants went to a restaurant or got take out on half of all the days they were in the study and when meals out get that frequent, they are no longer "special occasions" calling for indulgence, though that is the mindset than many still have. Another problem is portion size which, when combined with restaurants' "ample delicious food cues," can cause even a disciplined eater to press on with eating when they should have stopped.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-04-2006 @ 10:30AM
bdw said...
Well, I must have been binge eating yesterday. I am stuck here in New England, and was in Stratford, CT, where there is a restaurant called Acapulco that is owned and staffed by a Oaxacan family. I ordered the carnitas, which, while not exactly what I get in Sonora, were superb, and came with tender, fresh, handmade flour tortillas. I ate the full plate, with coffee, and ordered the deep fried ice cream with chocolate-cinnomon salsa for postres.
So there. I may watch my calories today and tomorrow, but it was worth it.
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11-04-2006 @ 2:35PM
Rhea said...
I overeat at restaurants with big portions because I figured I paid for it, I should eat it. Not good.
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