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Question
The theory of catabolic food (as I understand it) it that the digestive process burns more calories than the food supplies, thus creating a negative calorie intake. First, is this true or just another hoax/fad? And second, if true, it would seem to suggest that by only eating catabolic foods, you would gradually waste away and die of starvation! Huh?
David,
Actually, there aren't any foods with negative calorie balance. There are definitely foods that require more calories to digest than others, though-mostly high fiber veggies, eaten raw. Think celery, radishes, cabbage. You can find more exhaustive lists floating around the Internet. Remember, only raw will do. Ice water technically does have negative calorie balance, because your body has to heat itself back up, but most people warm their bodies by putting on a sweater or changing the thermostat.
Melissa
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for the clarification on so-called 'catabolic foods'. I guess if something is truly catabolic, then it wouldn't be a 'food', would it? And just to be a bit technical, we don't warm our bodies by putting on a sweater or turning up the thermostat, we just reduce the rate of heat loss from our bodies. It is our internal metabolic heat that heats our bodies. | ||
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Special Diets
Answers by Expert:
Melissa Anderson
Expertise
I have a Bachelor`s degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school. Ask me anything and everything relating to Atkins and other low-carb diet plans!
Experience
I've been on Atkins since 2001 and I'm still going strong!
Education/Credentials
Professionally, I have a Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, researched metabolism and endocrinology for four years, and am currently attending medical school.
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