People are always looking for quick tricks to lose weight, but a recent report from Dr. Mark Haub, a professor at Kansas State University, proves that for the average person it boils down to simple math: calories in vs calories out.  The article “Twinkie Diet for Weight Loss: Is Professor Haub On To Something” by Aina Hunter on CBSNews.com, says Haub decreased his calorie intake to 1800 for 8 weeks and lost about 30 pounds eating mostly junk food such as Twinkies.

Even his health improved!  His cholesterol levels improved, his body mass index improved, and he reduced his triglycerides.  All of this decreases his chance of heart disease.  He did supplement Twinkies with celery stalks and green beans as well as a multivitamin so he wasn’t necessarily malnourished.  But this report shows the importance of calories.  Eat less and lose weight is the simple equation for the average person.

With this said, there is evidence to show that it’s harder to control portions with junk food.  In this case, a normal person will be more likely to overeat Twinkies than green beans therefore gaining weight on a junk food diet.  But if you can carefully count calories and ensure you are consuming less calories than your body needs than you will probably lose weight.  Losing weight and getting healthier body statistics will give you a better chance of having more energy, lower health insurance rates, lower life insurance rates, living longer and having an overall better quality of life.