The twinkling lights. The Starbucks cups. The fa-la-la-la-laing.All of those things are fine for getting into the seasonal spirit. It’s not the holidays until you read this article on how to avoid weight gain. Paige Fowler, the December issue Women’s Health, offers a new take on the old advice to eat like an animal. She believes that birds and beasts spend three quarters of their lives eating food and never gain weight. Who better to get diet advice than Paige Fowler? This story was not based on actual animal research. Fowler instead focuses on five habits of five animals and suggests ways humans could imitate them (although monkeys are not included in this list). The goal is to learn from the animals, rather than be exactly like them. For example, Penguins are celebrated for their ability to “take a break” from food. They are able to keep their late-night snacks off the table by going on a month-long fast. Cows “gulp over 2,000 ounces of water daily.” They are very good at staying hydrated. You won’t mistake thirst for hunger if you do the same. Those monkeys love to grab any fruit that is available. Humans can learn from those monkeys: Make sure you have a fruit bowl and a fridge full of fresh-cut vegetables. You will feel satisfied if she chewed, chewed, and chewed every bite of her meals. If you feel like a whale when you leave a buffet, don’t be discouraged. Next time, try to behave more like one. Fowler says they don’t fear fat. You can feel fuller by eating foods with normal amounts of fat.
