Are YOU telling Foodie Fibs?

Do you tell yourself foodie fibs to justify things?! If you’re trying to lose weight, or stick to a healthy lifestyle then check out my top five foodie fibs below!

• “I’m eating out & having a big lunch.. so I won’t eat much after this!”

Making (unrealistic) promises about what you will and won’t eat later on in the day is an easy way of justifying eating anything. It can be the same as promising you will go for a jog before work to justify a late-night cream cake, even though you know you barely have time for breakfast, let alone a jog in a morning! If you’re watching your weight or just trying to eat a little healthier, why not try an ‘Eating-Out Two Rule’ .. this means every time you eat out you choose two out of the following: starter, main course, dessert or alcoholic drink. If you want more than two then you have to share.. half the cake and you half the calories! The key is to eat out without the guilt. Check out more healthy tips in my ‘Slimmer’s Guide to Eating Out’ blog post.

•  “I never touch fast food.. (only when no one is looking!)”

Our bodies are designed to crave high fat foods due to a survival strategy passed on from our prehistoric ancestors. Fast-food is marketed as being convenient and affordable, however it is generally loaded with calories, salt and saturated fat. To avoid the ‘fast-food rut’ and ultimately weight gain, the only solution is to be prepared. Make sure to keep a bottle of water and a healthy snack in your bag, such as a pack of dried fruit and nuts or a healthy cereal bar. Keeping hunger at bay will leave you more in control to let your brain choose what to order, instead of your stomach. If you really can’t resist your local fast food joint though, why not check out the nutritional information first (available in store or online). Choose foods that are lower in calories and fat, and don’t rule out a kids meal.. size counts when food is energy dense! Another tip is to freeze left-overs, which means that you can have healthy ‘fast-food’ at home!

• “I only have half a sugar in my hot drinks – (half a very large spoon!)” 

Food portions always look smaller when presented on larger crockery or cutlery, fact. That’s why it’s important if you’re trying to eat less to use a smaller dinner plate. Calories from sugar that we add in teas and coffees can add up. For example, if you have 2 teaspoons in every hot drink, and have 7 drinks day, that’s 280kcal (the same as 4 chocolate biscuits!). Weight has a habit of creeping on, and just 20 extra calories a day could lead to a 2 lb weight gain a year, after 7 years this is a stone. I would suggest trying to cut down on your sugar intake gradually e.g. ½ teaspoon at a time, or to try calorie free natural sweeteners such as stevia. Why not work out how many teaspoons of sugar you add to your drinks a day and measure it out in a bowl.. you may be surprised! 

• “I just finished off the kids/partners leftovers; it was hardly anything!”

Eating food ‘on the go’ between meals is easily forgotten about, and although it doesn’t feel like a meal, calories wise it could be well on the way to one. Try to break the habit of nibbling at leftovers by squirting washing up liquid onto the plates as soon as everyone’s finished.. even if you have to scrape the plate afterwards this will definitely stop the mindless over-eating.

• “I had a salad so that’s healthy – (despite dressings etc)”

Salads can be extremely low in calories as most of their weight is water – so no wonder we can justify eating any type of them! It’s a shame though that many salads are laden with fatty dressings or toppings such as bacon bits or croutons. If salads are labelled, look at them! Compare calories and fat, and opt for lower calorie dressings such as balsamic vinegar or light vinaigrette. Don’t be afraid to ask for your salad to be made slightly healthier e.g. a lighter dressing or less of it, most restaurants are more than happy to adapt recipes to suit customers’ needs. If you’re at home, choose to make healthier salads such as my Superfood Veggie Salad or Chicken Quinoa Salad.

What are your foodie fibs?! Recognising them is the first step to a healthier you!