Violetta Król from the “Dobry dietetyk” clinic explains what mistakes people trying to lose weight make when they come for an appointment complaining that they do not eat much, yet still gain weight. Very often, the cause of weight gain is not an excess of calories, but irregular mealtimes and snacking between meals.
Beware of snacks
Most people do not include small snacks eaten between meals—chocolates, sweetened drinks, apples, breadsticks or crisps—in their overall calorie and nutritional tally. Snacks eaten while preparing meals, when stressed or bored, or while watching television are also not counted.
We consider these portions insignificant in the overall energy balance. Perhaps the total calorie content of snacks eaten throughout the day does not raise major concerns, but it should be remembered that most of these products, even in negligible quantities, cause significant disruptions to metabolism, ultimately leading to an increase in body fat.
These innocent-looking snacks are in fact sugar-and-fat bombs that switch the body to storing fat and block its burning. Women are particularly susceptible to these temptations during menstruation. During their period, women’s serotonin levels fall; because simple carbohydrates activate serotonin secretion in the brain most quickly and effectively, women readily reach for them.
A Starvation Diet
An improperly balanced diet is a common reason for snacking. Feelings of hunger often encourage eating between meals. If we must have something to nibble on, it is worth choosing vegetables. But we must not overeat them. When feeling hungry, water may be helpful. Drinking is a way to fill the stomach.
To avoid snacking between meals, it is best to think about sensible, balanced meals that will fully satisfy our body’s needs. Hunger between meals is information that our body needs something. The quantity and quality of food are insufficient for it to function properly.
Therefore, it is best to visit a good dietitian who will determine our energy needs and compose our meals.
Competition
We have two 20% discounts for our readers on their first appointment at the “Dobry Dietetyk” clinic at 5 Zgorzelecka Street, tel. 505-738-754. They can be won by asking the dietitian a question. The discounted appointments will be drawn among people who send the dietitian a question via the contact form and provide their contact telephone number, first name and surname.
(commissioned information)