THE FUSE

When most people hear "calorie restriction," they picture hunger, deprivation, and a half-empty plate. Decades of crash diets have conditioned us to associate eating less with feeling worse. But not all calorie-restricted diets are depriving. Thoughtfully curated ones (that still meet nutritional requirements) can support long-term health, as excess weight gain (particularly, excess fat accumulation) over time is a risk factor for many chronic diseases.