Fashionable nutrition myths: Fast metabolism?

People with a ‘fast metabolism’

We all know a few people who have been thin and in shape their whole lives but seem to eat whatever they want. Many of these people, when asked how they stay thin, will say something about having a 'fast metabolism'.

Is it really true that some people could have a much more efficient metabolism than the average person so that they could eat fast food all day and not get fat? Sounds ridiculous right? And it largely is ...

While there is some fluctuation in people's normal metabolic rates this variance is not enough to keep junk-food-eaters thin forever. The truth about the majority of these people is actually a bit more complex - a few factors seem to be at play.

The truth about the majority of these people is actually a bit more complex - a few factors seem to be at play.

'Naturally thin' people often have a love for healthy foods which they learned from an early age

They are people who control their portion sizes correctly even when eating unhealthy foods, but usually eat more fruits and veggies than the average person. They are often people with naturally thin parents (or one parent). Many of them enjoy physical activity as recreation, and exercise regularly too.

Remember that being thin and being healthy are not one and the same

While being in good physical shape is a good general indicator of health, it is not the final word. You can still be thin and have any number of things wrong with your physical health, which is why EVERYONE needs to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

But the 'fast metabolism' thing, while maybe a contributor, is not the reason most thin people are thin, so stop wishing you had a fast metabolism and start copying the lifestyles of the thin people you so admire.

You can learn a lot from them - more fruits and veggies, more exercise is a good start.

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