Genr2d2

Miraculous metabolism? Great genes? How DO some people enjoy the buffet without gaining weight?
Bariatric Dietitian Elizabeth Anderson shares tips from food psychologist and best-selling author, Dr. Brian Wansink and the accidental weight watchers at the buffet.


Now here is a researcher I like. He’s down to earth, funny, non-judgmental and driven to understand what we eat and why.
I recently saw Dr. Brian Wansink speak at the Obesity Action Coalition’s Your Weight Matters 2016 annual convention.
Wansink is Professor and Director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab. He’s also the author of the books Mindless Eating and Slim by Design.
Wansink describes his work at the lab this way:
“Using new tools of behavioral science, we invent healthy eating solutions for consumers, companies, and communities. We invent, redesign, and empower.”
Wansink tells great stories about his unique research and I wanted to share one that I thought you might find interesting.
Wansink and his team of researchers were curious how people with ‘normal’ BMIs could frequent all you can eat buffets and not gain weight.
First, he flat-out asked them, “What’s your secret?”
Know what? They honestly didn’t know what they did differently, at all.
Wansink decided to set up cameras and monitor the behaviors of the slim diners at the buffet as well as what people with obesity did. Every. Single. Thing.
After hours and hours of video recording and analysis, Wansink came up with a list of 8 differences between the groups.
The slim diners…
1. Sat an average of 16 ft. away from the salad bar.
2. Sat with their backs to the buffet.
3. Used chopsticks instead of silverware.
4. Put their napkins in their laps.
5. Chewed their food more times.
6. Sat at booths, not tables.
7. Scouted the buffet completely before putting anything on their plates.
8. Used smaller plates.
I think one of the coolest things about this list of behaviors is that the ‘healthy’ weight people unknowingly limited their exposure to food, chose their food with careful consideration and didn’t rush the experience.
Wansink told us the owner of a large chain of buffet restaurants employed some of the slim diners’ habits to subtly influence his customers to eat less. Thus, increase his profit margin.
After just a year, the restauranteur had saved tens of thousands of dollars.
My take-away from Dr. Wansink’s talk is that the food and foodservice industries use science to influence our buying and eating habits. Usually, without our knowledge.
Wansink’s work changes that. It does empower us to be more mindful of the many influences on our food environment and make deliberate choices in light of that.
Until next time, I’ll see you at the buffet, look for me in the booth in the back. J

Coffee confusion abounds. Some surgeons say, "Sure." Others say, "Never!"
And the forums? As many opinions as there are people.
Bariatric Dietitian Elizabeth Anderson sets us straight with science.


"Elizabeth, regular coffee after surgery or decaf for life?
Let's keep this simple. If you can drink a cup of regular coffee every day without trouble, go for it.
This isn't my opinion folks and that's why it's so magically delicious.
There is a ground-swell movement among bariatric dietitians to fact-check some of the standard nutrition no-no's we've been sharing with clients.
If there's no science to back up the recommendation, we're not going to keep promoting it.
The latest worn-out bariatric rules without evidence? No straws, no gum, no soda.
Today I'm dispelling the no coffee/caffeine rule.
A recent review of the scientific literature reveals no evidence supporting the avoidance of caffeinated drinks to prevent dehydration or stomach lining damage.
“Here I come quad espresso over ice???” Whoa, Nelly.
Sane caffeine consumption after WLS means:
1. waiting six weeks post op or until you are fully healed from surgery
2. aiming to limit regular coffee to one cup per day
3. groping with the painful truth that a medium pumpkin spice latte with whip = 420 calories
Dietitians are working hard to create nutrition plans individually based on client’s unique needs and wants.
The next time you hear one of those bariatric no no’s, ask the provider if the current science is still robustly supporting that recommendation.
It might take them aback a bit but a good provider will thank you for your smart thoughtfulness and self-advocacy.