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Are fingernails fattening? Only if you eat about ten thousand of them! Yucky, yuck, yuck! I can’t tell you how many people have asked me this strange question throughout my 20+ years in the fitness industry. Too many to count. So! To anyone else who may be concerned about the belly bulging effects of fingernail chewing, here is my answer.
I’m not exactly sure how many calories are in each nail per se, but since they are made of keratin, a sturdy fibrous protein….it couldn’t be much.They’d probably just run right through you. In fact, I think you’d have to chew through the hands and feet of everyone you know to even equal a moderately satisfying snack. Hmmmmmm. Yummy!
I suppose the correct response to this question would simply be to offer up all the nasty side effects that come via gnawing on the tips of your fingers (or toes). Besides earning grody looking nails, you may be consuming various germs you’ve picked up by touching things throughout your day. You may bleed. You may peel. You may cause an infection as well. So now that we have cleared all of that up. Go get a manicure and leave your nails to the professionals!
**And for all of you who are appalled … I share your disgust. This is an article that would NOT have been written if the bizarre question were not asked so often!
