Posted March 10, 2013

Dr. Jason A. Berner, MD
Endocrinologist, Diabetologist

Residency/Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine
Speciality and Board Certifications: Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
Practice: Georgia Mountain Endocrinology, Canton, GA

Endocrinologists diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine glands, such as the thyroid and pancreas, which secrete hormones that regulate metabolism (the chemical process by which body turns food into energy or stores energy). Endocrine glands also regulate growth, mood, and sexual function.

Should I Eat Cheesecake

Socrates is often given association to the phrase “Everything in moderation but not in excess”. When eating cheesecake this quote needs to come to mind. Should someone with diabetes or extremely overweight never eat cheesecake? No. We need to indulge judiciously. I often compare taking in calories and weight gain to balancing your checkbook. As long as you can write the check big enough, then you can afford that new TV or outfit. But just like we have to pay for these items, so must we pay for our calories. If we exercise enough to burn enough calories then we can justify these occasional indulgences like cheesecake. So I advocate before eating that cheesecake, walk for 30 minutes. If you go one week to the next and get on the scale the exact same day and time, if your weight is the same, then the number of calories taken in has equaled the amount burned. In order to lose weight, I recommend increasing cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, by another 10 minutes per day in your daily weekly routine above the amount of time you had been doing.

One might wonder why reducing calories alone may not result in weight loss. Our metabolism may slow down to use calories more efficiently so as not to lose weight. This explains how some people can take in 1000 calories a day but do not lose weight. My belief is that back in the day we were hunter gatherers and may go extended periods of time with a reduced amount of calories. Our bodies would not break everything down because that would jeopardize key enzymes and metabolic function. Therefore our metabolism slows down to conserve. The thought process here indicates that we are made not to lose weight but rather maintain our existing weight, even if we are overweight.

Taking in too few calories may further slow down metabolism as the body breaks down muscle. My advice is not taking in fewer than 800 to 1000 calories. If weight loss is not observed from one week to the next, increase your exercise activity as indicated above. Calories are calories and while people think nutrition and calories are similar, when it comes to weight loss, it is still possible to lose weight with poor nutrition and gain weight with good nutrition. For example, if you ate one piece of chocolate per day you may lose weight, however, eating 25 oranges every day could result in weight gain. The results are dependent upon your activity level for that day. Whether you’re on a low carb or low fat diet, they both work the same way. The goal is for you to take in fewer calories in the hope your body's expenditure exceeds your consumption.

In summary, enjoy life and eat cheesecake. And if you decide to follow Socrates’ golden rule by doing it in moderation and judiciously, just remember to pay for your calories.