Dietitian reveals the five mistakes you’re making that could sabotage your diet in lockdown – and the best time to eat your largest meal of the day
- Dietitian reveal things you’re doing that could be sabotaging diet in lockdown
- Susie Burrell said there are some unhealthy food habits people have picked up
- She said common things are mindless eating and having dinner at wrong times
A dietitian has revealed the five common mistakes you’re making that could be sabotaging your diet in lockdown – including mindless eating and having dinner at the wrong times.
Susie Burrell, from Sydney, said there are some unhealthy food habits people have picked up at home without even realising it.
With ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, looming stress and millions of Australians working from home more than ever before, the nutritionist said many end up eating dinner at 8pm or 9pm.
‘If you regularly work late you will be much better to eat your largest meal at lunchtime and choose light options such as soup, white fish and salad once it gets to 7 or 8pm or later at night,’ Susie wrote on her blog.
A dietitian has revealed the five common mistakes you’re making that could be sabotaging your diet in lockdown – including having dinner at the wrong times (stock image)
Susie Burrell, from Sydney, said there are some unhealthy food habits people have picked up at home without even realising it
She said our bodies tend to burn more calories during the first half of the day.
‘As such the greater the proportion of calories we consume during the first half of the day, the better,’ she said.
Another thing that’s ruining your efforts to loss weight is mindless eating.
Susie said mindless eating can lead to consuming as much as 30 per cent of extra calories in a single day, whether it’s large portion sizes, extra serves of sauces or salad dressings or giving yourself ‘little treats’ throughout the day.
One of the best ways to get on top of your eating habits was to simply write down everything you ate and drank over a 24 hour period, she suggested.
By doing this, you’ll get a clearer insight into why your diet might not be working and whether you are eating more than you realise.
Another thing that’s ruining your efforts to loss weight is mindless eating, which can lead you to consume as much as 30 per cent of extra calories in a single day (stock image)
If you are exercising with the goal of weight loss, Susie said you should avoid ‘rewarding’ yourself with your favourite food after working out.
‘Not only can exercise increase your appetite, but psychologically it gives many of us permission to eat more, or eat foods we would usually not eat because we have “been good” and have already burnt off the extra calories,’ she explained.
‘This logic falls apart simply because it is so easy to eat a whole lot of calories and we often do not burn as many as we think.’
She said while a 30 to 40 minute working at the gym may burn 300 to 400 calories, a single piece of cake or a fast food meal can contain up to 600 calories.
For those looking to lose five to 10 kilos, Susie said you should avoid drastically changing your eating habits like following a ‘strict regime of consuming minimal calories’ because it rarely works long term.
‘Ensuring you actually like the foods you are eating each day, and not feeling hungry is the key to long term success,’ she said.
To avoid regularly ordering from meal delivery services or filling shopping trolleys with snacks at the supermarket, Susie suggested making healthy foods available and within easy reach at all times.
‘If you are really committed to losing weight all of your food decisions add up and as such we need to make the food choices we have control of, good ones most of the time,’ she said.
What are Susie’s top tips to cut down your grocery bill to just $50?
* Buy long-life milk as it lasts longer and is often cheaper.
Susie shared her secrets for cutting your grocery bill to $50 (her trolley pictured)
* Bulk up mince with tinned legumes for an extra protein hit.
* Freeze bread to keep it to last longer.
* Start with your protein as meat will always be the most expensive part of your shop and go from there.
* Never shop per recipe as this is where your bill adds up; instead go for budget staples that can be used in a multitude of ways.
* Set four go-to recipes per week: ideally a meat dish, a mince dish, a fish dish and a plant-based meal.
* Cook once and eat twice, particularly with protein to get more bang for your buck.
* Don’t avoid packaged food because it’s unhealthy, but rather shop the packaged aisles carefully. Tinned salmon and tinned tuna are healthy.
* Buy in-season vegetables where possible as these will save you valuable cash