logoalt Hacker News

phillipcarter10/11/20241 replyview on HN

Can't speak for OP, but generally speaking there's a lot of variability in peoples' perceptions of healthy food and caloric density. For example, a lot of people see nuts as health food, and yet they're some of the most calorically dense foods you can eat! Another example would be to crack open the Ottolenghi cookbook and make the delicious Lamb Siniyah, which among other things calls for a large amount of Tahini mixed with lemon juice to create a delicious crust over the top of the stew. Delicious, but incredibly calorically dense.


Replies

tightbookkeeper10/12/2024

I think healthy/unhealthy food dichotomy is psychologically the same as religious dieting. It fosters feelings of purity, self control, and is a form of in-group signaling.

But our bodies grind down substances to extract calories. It’s a simple mechanism. You can eat McDonalds everyday if you manage intake.