There's a constant chase by those who a weight challenged to loss and maintain a decrease in pounds. But is there a magic bullet to help get you there? "It just sounds so enticing," said University of Texas Health Science Center's Dr. Sue Cunningham. "It's what we want to hear. We want to have something simple solve a complex problem."
According to Dr. Cunningham, the battle to fight of the pounds is a tougher one for women just because of their lifestyles. Men, the registered dietician said, have a higher metabolism. Yet, all around us are pictures of perfection in magazines, on the web and on television. These women seem to physically have it all. Cunningham is quick to point out that some of those women have expensive health advisors and chefs at their fingertips. "It's not something that the average person has the ability to take advantage of," said Cunningham. But there's a Japanese company that claims to be able to put affordable weight loss in the palm of your hands. In the case of their product, it's more across the span of your face. For less than $20, the company asserts that wearing blue lens sunglasses can help you shed those unwanted pounds. Dr. Cunningham said there could be something to their claim. "That, certainly, could in the short run result in lower intake of food," she said, which would mean fewer calories consumed. The magic in this weight loss formula is simple psychology. Colors, according to experts, affect our mood. In this case, color and food correspond, just as a person would responds to the aroma and flavor of their favorite foods. Experts say blue is a soothing color. In fact, the soothing blue can reportedly suppress your appetite. KENS 5 picked up a couple of pair of blue shades from a local mall for about $10 each. We put them to the test in a place where food doesn't stand a chance: our newsroom. So with a freshly baked box of Krispy Kreme donuts in hand, we sat four of our staffer down to see if the blue shades put the brakes on their appetites. Three out four said the glasses made no difference at all. "Makes it (the donuts) look shiner," said one female staffer. "They could be green these are Krispy Kreme." "I don't feel like there's a difference," said producer Anita Hines. "With or without the glasses." "They look different," said one of our production guys. "They've got a different shade to them." Only "Great Day SA" Host Bridget Smith seemed affected by the blue sunglasses. "I don't know what it is. I can't explain it," Smith said. "They just don't look appetizing." Dr. Cunningham said most of our food is not blue. But she points out color psychology doesn't work for everyone. And, it's just not practical to wear shades every time you eat. She said the human desire for your favorite food, generally, wins out no matter what weight management plan you're on. "The real key to weight management is for someone to have a realistic look at their habits and lifestyle." As for the diet sunglasses, she believes in the end they will leave you blue. "I see it as a crutch," said Cunningham. “Kind of a gimmick thing."
