Grub experimentation could promote weight loss

Being a little experimental with one's eating habits could prove to be a surefire recipe to losing weight rather than sticking to healthy food on a daily basis, suggests a new research.

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Counterintuitive as it may sound, researchers have found that adventurous eaters, known as "foodies", weigh less and may be healthier than their less-adventurous counterparts.

The study, involving over 500 women across the US, showed that those who had eaten the widest variety of uncommon foods - including seitan, beef tongue, Kimchi, rabbit, and polenta - also rated themselves as healthier eaters, more physically active and more concerned with the healthiness of their food when compared with less-adventurous eaters.

"These findings are important to dieters because they show that promoting adventurous eating may provide a way for people - especially women - to lose or maintain weight without feeling restricted by a strict diet," said study co-author Brian Wansink, author of the book "Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life".

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"They also reported being much more likely to have friends over for dinner," said lead author Lara Latimer from the University of Texas.