What are you eating for lunch?
Weight gain is something to be expected when we're making poor diet choices, but at what point do we make the change?
New research shows that 48% of the nation are dissatisfied with lunchtime choices and women gain 61bs 3oz and men 5lbs 12oz over a year as a result of snacking.
The research, carried out by the rye bread experts who are asking people to swap their usual bread to rye to see a wealth of health benefits, has revealed that rushed office workers, who aren’t taking the time to eat a balanced lunch, are turning to mid-afternoon treats that are piling on the pounds and leaving them sluggish.
The research of 2,000 men and women from across the UK and Ireland revealed that incredibly, almost half of those surveyed believed that they have put on weight in the last year purely as a result of over-dependency on snacks at work.
Nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer explains; "If people ate a more fulfilling lunch in the first place, they'd feel satisfied for longer and wouldn't feel the need to reach for snacks.
"Not only would a change in the choice of lunch help prevent weight gain and an evening of regret, it could also help with energy levels and reduce symptoms such as bloating."
The amount of weight people are gaining from snacking is even more shocking; for men it’s 5lbs 12oz and women are putting on even more; 61bs 3oz, nearly half a stone – which is the equivalent of a whole dress size. So what, exactly, are we all eating? At 42%, biscuits are at the top of the list, closely followed by chocolate, crisps and cakes.
On average, Brits eat at least two snacks per day, with 30% of those surveyed eating three or more. Women admit to eating more snacks than men – with a further 13% of women eating four or more snacks daily.
The report indicates that poor lunch choices could be the reason Brits are reaching for the snacks. Almost half of those surveyed admitted that they don’t feel full or satisfied after their current lunch choice. Office workers in particular are dissatisfied with their lunchtime meal, with almost half of those surveyed still hungry and in need of a snack. Over a quarter of office workers are also left feeling tired and sluggish as result of their lack lustre lunch.
Office workers are also likely to get hungry again more quickly than other workers, with 32% stating that they are hungry again within just two hours of eating their lunch. Consequently, office workers snack more at work, with 35% reaching for snacks, compared to 14% of non-office workers.
Simon Staddon of The Village Bakery said: "We were aware time-poor office workers can find it difficult to easily access a nutritional lunch, but we were really shocked by the extent to which 'quick fix' lunches are affecting weight gain and general wellbeing.
"Popular mid-afternoon 'pick me' ups such biscuits, chocolate and cakes are high in calories, saturated fat and full of sugar, all of which affects your blood sugar levels and ultimately leads to weight gain."
Tagged in Diet