...You're eating cheese on National Cheese Lovers Day

I know what you're thinking... Our calorie scientists here at CDCI have already delved into the scientific rational behind why calories do not count on holidays. So why the need for seemingly overlapping rules? Well, I must admit (while crying in shame) that some of us (not me) did not know that National Cheese Lovers Day existed until today (again, clearly not me). Because of this sad fact, we feel it's imperative to clarify calorie rules as they apply to this joyous holiday.

Because of the cheese-based nature of National Cheese Lovers Day (NCLD), science dictates that only cheese is to be considered calorie-free today. This is because, though it is a day of celebration for cheese lovers across the globe, it is not widely recognized as a holiday and thus does not fit neatly into our "holidays=calorie-free" model. That being said, cheese can be consumed in droves today sans calories, so we're pretty confident here at CDCI that we won't hear too much griping about the specifications associated with this rule.

The basic explanation behind calorie-free cheese consumption on NCLD is as follows - when your brain distinguishes that a given holiday involves food, it triggers an intense desire to eat foods generally associated with that holiday. Ever thought of Thanksgiving dinner and right away felt an insatiable urge for mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie? That's your brain inducing what's called a "Gastro-Holiday Connection Reflex." Because of this reflex, your body suddenly requires an increased intake of whatever delicious eats may be generally associated with that holiday. What does this mean for calorie purposes? Since your body demands such specific foods on days like these, it actually burns those foods at an abnormally rapid-fire rate (think of it as your body being REALLY excited to get what it wants!). Because of the rapidity with which your body enjoys and burns the yummies you've eaten, calories do not have time to register as having been consumed. So even though your body will feel the happily nourished effects of having eaten what it craved, it will have burned all of the calories before truly recognizing them.

Fromage away today, CDCI blogosphere!