More exercise doesn’t mean you’ll burn more calories
Killing it at the gym 24/7 isn’t only unrealistic; it may not even be all that beneficial. New evidence published in the journal Current Biology suggests that when we are really, really active – like Gwyneth-Paltrow-level active –our bodies may adapt to our energy expenditures. That means we might not shed more pounds even if we are on the StairMaster for two hours instead of 25 minutes.

The results come from a study of 332 people from five different  populations. Researchers found that people who were moderately active (they maybe walked to work and exercised a couple of days a week) burned about 200 more calories a day than people who did nothing. Obvious, yes. But really active people burned about the same amount of calories as the moderately active group. That suggests the body holds on to energy at other times of the day.


We eat more food if it’s labelled ‘healthy

You only have to look at the ELLE Canada team to know this is true! Let me explain. We are obsessed with these “power cookies” on sale at a certain grocery store. Made of delicious peanuts, almonds and other healthy foods, they seem like a nutritional wonder, so some of us were eating three a day – until we found out they clock in at 300 calories PER COOKIE.

According to a new study in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, we’re not the only ones who are so gullible. Most people tend to order larger portions when they think the food is healthy. Another reason we’re likely to overindulge? If “healthy” is on the package, we tend to feel hungrier faster. (Researchers compared that response to food labelled “nourishing” and found we’ll feel more full). Here’s why it matters: even if we’re eating healthy food, if we are eating more calories than we need, it can lead to weight gain.

Speaking of healthy food… what you need to know about pulses
We’re not talking about the kind you do during your strength-training workout at the gym. Pulses are a type of legume; the “pulse” refers to the edible seed. (Some examples: lentils, beans chick peas and dried peas.) They’re about to become a whole lot trendier. The United Nations has dubbed 2016 the International Year of Pulses because of their nutritional benefits: they are high in protein and fibre and low in fat.

READ MORE:
How I changed after a month without sugar, wheat, dairy and alcohol
7 health-boosting herbs and spices you should be adding to your dinner plate
Kim Kardashian is on the Atkins Diet