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A Poll About A Scientific Study
Jul. 27th, 2010 06:46 amI'm really struggling with this decision, so I'm hoping that reacting to comments will help me make up my mind. (By the way, not forgetting that the previous poll was overwhelming in wanting to see the plumbing how-to. It's just... not been normal around here, and today I take the car in for insurance assessment after the accident.)
I've been invited to take part of "an 8-week controlled feeding study." (How offputting a title!) It's ostensibly about "how cranberries affect risk factors for heart disease" -- although if there's one thing I learned from reading the very important, slightly disturbing, and highly recommended Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink, it's that food studies like this tend not to be about what they're ostensibly about. The company doing it is local and reputable; whatever they're up to, I ought to be in competent, scientific hands.
There's an equal amount of good and bad here.
For eight weeks, I wouldn't have to worry about meal plans (a 2010 resolution I've blatantly failed), buying groceries, or even cooking. I could concentrate entirely on renovations without defaulting to takeout food.
On the other hand, I probably don't get to eat a thing not on the study, which would run for most of MDRF - no steak on a stick, no mulled cider as the weather cools. No more street food from the farmer's markets for the rest of the season. No chai, no noshing on dried apple.
I may or may not have to shift my working hours or other plans (I have to eat breakfast and dinner there; they will give me a packed lunch.)
On the other hand, it's an excellent kick-start for a diet... right before the two most food-centric holidays on the American calendar. (The study pitch does assure participants that they'd be done and free to eat before Thanksgiving.)
It wouldn't be easy. It would be a finite period of time. Right now I'm tilting towards at least going to the orientation.
[Poll #1597885]
I've been invited to take part of "an 8-week controlled feeding study." (How offputting a title!) It's ostensibly about "how cranberries affect risk factors for heart disease" -- although if there's one thing I learned from reading the very important, slightly disturbing, and highly recommended Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink, it's that food studies like this tend not to be about what they're ostensibly about. The company doing it is local and reputable; whatever they're up to, I ought to be in competent, scientific hands.
There's an equal amount of good and bad here.
For eight weeks, I wouldn't have to worry about meal plans (a 2010 resolution I've blatantly failed), buying groceries, or even cooking. I could concentrate entirely on renovations without defaulting to takeout food.
On the other hand, I probably don't get to eat a thing not on the study, which would run for most of MDRF - no steak on a stick, no mulled cider as the weather cools. No more street food from the farmer's markets for the rest of the season. No chai, no noshing on dried apple.
I may or may not have to shift my working hours or other plans (I have to eat breakfast and dinner there; they will give me a packed lunch.)
On the other hand, it's an excellent kick-start for a diet... right before the two most food-centric holidays on the American calendar. (The study pitch does assure participants that they'd be done and free to eat before Thanksgiving.)
It wouldn't be easy. It would be a finite period of time. Right now I'm tilting towards at least going to the orientation.
[Poll #1597885]
