Why do the things that taste so good have to be so bad?

smu2 · 18-Jun-04, 01:54 PM

Ok, this is probably a really really stupid question, but why is it so that sugars and fats and everything that the average obese american finds delicious the things that are so bad for you? Why couldn't nature have made protein taste like sugar and sugar like poop.

Basically, I'm asking if there is a scientific reason behind why our taste buds react to sugar and protein and carbs etc. how they do.

Again, stupid question, just something that popped into my head

~Smu2

Jakanden · 18-Jun-04, 02:06 PM

Your taste buds learned to like that kind of food over time. It can be unlearned. Because I have been eating healthy so long, I no longer like things like candy, pizza and the like. If i try to eat something sugar I cant get past one or two bites because it is disgusting to me.

smu2 · 18-Jun-04, 02:11 PM

but behind that logic when a kid first eats that lolly for the first time, it shouldn't taste good? If I never give my kids any refined sugar, they will find it disgusting if they eat it?

Just curious

~Smu2

Jakanden · 18-Jun-04, 02:13 PM

No logic or science behind it - just speaking from experience as well as others ive talked to. After you get used to eating healthy you wont want the sweet stuff anymore =)

smu2 · 18-Jun-04, 02:20 PM

I totally agree with that, I've been eating healthy for the past five weeks and if I drink anything besides water like a gatorade or soda I feel like I'm going to puke.

Just wondering why nature made things, things. Soon people will start suing nature for their obesity, "It's not my fault lard and sugar is so delicious" *stuffs face with McDonalds* "pay my hospital and fast food bill"

~Smu2

Gibson · 18-Jun-04, 04:46 PM

See it's the opposite for me. I rarely eat chocolate; however, its still one of my favorite things on earth. The same goes for fried seafood. I deal with healthy food. I hate the taste of most vegetables, unless they are added to something with meat with a sauce. I guess it could be worse though. Poor dogs have to eat the same food every day!

arbit · 18-Jun-04, 05:28 PM

I belive its not random. Imgaine the scenario 20,000 years back, before agriculture and stuff. Energy was scarce.
Fats=concentrated form of energy, not available easily
Sugars=concentrated easy to digest, quick boost of energy, not available easily.
Proteins: hard to digest, dont need much. The amount we need(~60g), is present easily.

Nature has created us as energy hunting organisms

Taverner · 18-Jun-04, 05:56 PM

When we were hunter-gatherers, eating fat was desireable as it was energy stored. If it was weeks before you ate again, it would be helpful to store fat.

My question is why we cant make foods good for you taste better? Designer Whey has done amazing work with their UTurn bar - why not apply the same science to other foods (read: I want turkey breast to taste like a big mac)

Cort · 18-Jun-04, 05:58 PM

How healthy is that bar though? I had one yesterday, was great tasting...but it reminded me a lot of a Mounds bar scept it had protein in it.

I guess if canned lima beans, green beans, and salad count as veggies I like 'em enough. That being said you can plow through 2 cans of green beans and find about 80 f'ing calories and feel extremely full/satisfied. I'm probably going to make them a bigger part of my diet now, replace most of the bread I'm eating with vegetables. Carrots, broccli, green beans, lima beans, cucumber, etc...all good.

Dunno what people want to do to turkey or chicken. I hope they never taste like Bic Macs...always liked those plain since I was little.

Jakanden · 18-Jun-04, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taverner

When we were hunter-gatherers, eating fat was desireable as it was energy stored. If it was weeks before you ate again, it would be helpful to store fat.

My question is why we cant make foods good for you taste better? Designer Whey has done amazing work with their UTurn bar - why not apply the same science to other foods (read: I want turkey breast to taste like a big mac)

To me most food thats good for you tastes great. I LOVE things like plain oatmeal, oatbran, sweet potatoes and other veggies, fruits, organic bread, brown rice, etc.. etc..

It took awhile before I felt that way but now I love the food I eat =)

Jakanden · 18-Jun-04, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cort

How healthy is that bar though? I had one yesterday, was great tasting...but it reminded me a lot of a Mounds bar scept it had protein in it.

Most bars are crap anyway but U-Turn isnt bad when compared to most:
http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/pr...rotein-bar.htm

I personally stay away from ALL protein bars but the ones I make =)

Cort · 18-Jun-04, 06:11 PM

Yeah, I still have some cleaning to do via my diet. I run out of food so fast too, never lasts as long as I'll expect it to.

Anyway, I like most food. Veggies are nice, lean meat is great, but I also like junk. I'm trying to cut it out though, I haven't consistantly drank soda in about 2 years now though. I think I've had 2 bottles of that Mountain Dew Red Alert in the last year and that's it.

Far as protein bars go its hard to find something small that you can carry around with you. I'm leaving for camp tonight so any high source of protein that I can do that with is welcome if you know any. Gotta finish packing and leave in 3 hours. Kinda short on cash so I'm pretty much stuck eating whatever they feed me...