If You Want To Feel Better, Eat Less Even If You're Not Trying To Lose Weight

Restricting your food intake and eating small meals might make you successful if you're trying to lose weight, but did you know that eating less could also make you happier?New research from scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, found that mood and sexual health were improved in conjunction with moderate calorie restriction.

The two-year study analyzed impact of calorie restriction on 218 healthy adults, most of whom were women. Two-thirds of the participants cut their calorie intake by 25 percent and one-third did not change their eating habits.

 As a result, by the end of two years, the restriction group's body mass index was smack-dab in the middle of the normal/average range. Those who did not change their eating habits found their BMIs either stayed the same or increased, and that their moods were the same or worse. Overall, the calorie restriction group also reported better sexual health and drive, and the men had higher testosterone levels.

The researchers have concluded that even people at a fairly healthy weight and size could benefit from eating less.