I was watching Oprah when I was an undergrad at Frostburg State University (yes, I know that admitting this may require that I forfeit my man-card). In one specific show , she had a “weight loss expert” talking about how the bagel is “the perfect diet-food” because it contains a balanced blend of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. So, after hearing that the bagel was given Oprah’s seal of approval , 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 gained.
Although my story is interesting (at least to me), it is not a scientific observation. Years later , researchers put the bagel up against the incredible, edible egg in a toe-to-toe battle against the bulge . What is interesting is how each of these foods is viewed ; the bagel is commonly seen as a “health food” while the egg is frequently 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 during the day
- Lost more weight than the bagel eaters
“But what about cholesterol?” you may ask. Cholesterol and triglyceridesdid not change . In addition, many other studies have found that eggs do not elevate the risk of heart attack or stroke, even when consumed very frequently . In fact, most research suggests that bagels are more likely to increase cholesterol than a daily meal 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)
