Fear of missing out on meals and social events can get in the way of weight loss plans, according to a new survey.
While many start January with internal vows to improve their health and fitness, half of adults say they’ve put off losing a few pounds for fear of missing out on experiences.
The survey of 2,000 adults found that chocolate, takeaways, fish and chips and chip shops are the things people worry about the most.
More than three quarters said they enjoy eating their favorite foods, while two in three said they are passionate about the food they eat.
Women in particular cared so much about food that more people said they were afraid of missing their Sunday roast than giving up sex.
While many start January with an inner promise to improve their health and fitness, half of adults say they’ve put off their efforts to lose a few pounds for fear of missing out.
People cite the taste, the feeling of someone preparing a meal for them and bringing back fond memories of family traditions or routines as reasons to enjoy food.
Dr Amanda Avery, Health and Research Nutritionist at Slimming World, said: “Food is one of life’s greatest joys, so it’s no wonder that food FOMO (the fear of missing out) is common for many of us a does not represent a problem. is a very real factor when it comes to weight loss. .
“As research shows, in many cases certain foods can exert a powerful pull on us, evoking memories and emotions and reviving past tastes and pleasures.”
“It can often be difficult to find the desire or motivation to change ingrained habits in the way we shop, cook and eat, and this is where support can be key to supporting downsizers.”
“But you don’t have to give up your favorite foods or miss out on the fun – it’s just about finding new ways to prepare and cook the meals you love.”
Commenting on the findings, James Stubbs, professor of appetite and energy balance at the University of Leeds, said it was “too simplistic” to assume that we eat just because we are hungry.
“By recognizing how food meets the different psychological needs of different people, we can explain why people eat what they eat, even though we know it can affect weight and long-term health,” he explained.
“When people change their eating habits to lose weight, they can typically feel deprived of the various “rewards” that food offers them.
“This research shows us that our relationship with food can be complex and that it is important to understand our relationship with food on an individual level to help people achieve a healthy diet and a healthier weight on a way that suits their own life.”
What should a balanced diet look like?
According to the NHS, meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Basic meals with potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 wholegrain crackers, 2 thick slices of wholegrain bread, and a large baked potato with skin on
• Provide some dairy products or milk alternatives (eg soya drinks) and choose options with less fat and less sugar
• Eat beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish per week, one portion fatty).
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should consume less than 6 grams of salt and 20 grams of saturated fat for women and 30 grams for men per day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
