I was watching Oprah’s show when I was a freshman at Frostburg State University (yes, I know that admitting this may require that I forfeit my man-card). In one particular episode , she had a “weight loss expert” talking about how the bagel is “the perfect diet-food” because it balances carbohydrate, fat, and protein. So, after hearing that the bagel was granted? Oprah’s blessing , I started eating bagels and, admittedly, I enjoyed them. Hindsight being 20/20, I am certain that the choice to quickly follow the advice of this “expert” contributed to the freshman-fifteen that I quickly amassed .
Although my tale is interesting (at least to me), it is not scientific proof . Years later , researchers put the bagel up against the incredible, edible egg in a head-to-head battle against the bulge . What is interesting is how each of these foods is seen ; the bagel is commonly perceived as a “health food” while the egg is often blamed for Uncle Frank’s unanticipated heart attack. The results are in and let me tell you what happened…
Eggs trumped the bagel!
In this study, egg-eaters:
- Ate fewer calories within a 24 hour period
- Felt less hunger throughout the day
- Lost more weight than the bagel eaters
“But what about cholesterol?” you may ask. Cholesterol and triglycerides were unaffected . In addition, various other studies have found that eggs do not elevate the risk of heart attack or stroke, even when consumed in relatively large quantities . In fact, most research suggests that bagels are more likely to increase cholesterol than daily consumption of eggs.
Sorry Bagels, you have been tested, tried in the court of science, and been found wanting ! If your favorite weight loss blog or weight loss podcast is touting bagels as “The Ultimate Weight Loss Food”, you may want to drop a comment or two. And Oprah, if you are reading this, we all still love you, just be a little more careful with your advice next time.
(Experimental Biology Conference, April 2009)
