Nutrition blunders 1 - 5
You may know the importance of a balanced diet, but lack of knowledge of food facts can cause poor eating habits. Here are some of the most common mistakes that can lead to an unhealthy diet:
1. Skipping breakfast to save calories for later in the day
Studies show that breakfast skippers actually have more difficulty controlling their weight because they overeat at the next meal. Eating breakfast revs up your metabolism and replenishes your body's fuel source.
2. Not planning your meals in advance
If you come home from work tired and hungry to an empty fridge, chances are you'll order in. Instead, plan your meals in advance, grocery shop once a week, and batch cook on the weekend. You'll eat healthier - and save time and money!
3. Grabbing the coffee shop muffin for a quick breakfast
Here's the bad news -- the typical coffee shop muffin can deliver up to 19 grams of fat and 400 calories! Even a glazed donut has less. If you're on the go, order a low-fat bran muffin with fruit. You'll get less than 3 grams of fat and up to 5 grams of fibre. And don't forget the latte for a calcium boost.
4. Ordering a salad at lunch instead of a sandwich
Surely that roast beef sandwich is more fattening than the chef's salad…right? Not necessarily! Tossed greens may sound virtuous, but some salad entrees pack up to 10 teaspoons of fat because of the oil used in the dressing. A typical roast beef sandwich (with mustard, not mayo) delivers less than two. If you'd rather have salad, order the dressing on the side - and don't use it all.
5. Eating carb-free meals to stay slim
Low-carb diets are all the rage, and it's true that too many carbohydrates can make you fat. But too much fat and too much protein can also pack on the pounds. Whole-grain starchy foods, legumes, fruit and vegetables are low-glycemic carbohydrate foods that keep you feeling full and energetic longer. So give up those high glycemic "white" refined carbohydrate foods such as cakes and pastries instead.
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