It's too early to tell whether this recession has crimped the birth rate, Haub said.

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"We are not saying 'Trust us, '" Haub told us at the time.

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Despite his temporary success, Haub does not recommend replicating his snack-centric diet.

CNN: Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds

Time off: Last fall St Joseph's University in Philadelphia dedicated the Erivan K. Haub School of Business to Haub, 65, a longtime benefactor.

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Families who live in food deserts have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, so they often rely on the kind of food Haub was eating.

CNN: Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds

Blatner, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said she's not surprised to hear Haub's health markers improved even when he loaded up on processed snack cakes.

CNN: Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds

Haub's body fat dropped from 33.4 to 24.9 percent.

CNN: Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds