THE SECRET TO A SLIM FIGURE? CAKE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, FISH AND CHIPS AT THE SEASIDE, CHOCOLATE ON EASTER SUNDAY AND PASTA IN ITALY, ACCORDING TO BRITS WHO ARE AT THEIR IDEAL WEIGHT
Allowing yourself treats is the ANSWER to staying trim, according to a new study, with 89 percent of serial dieters describing themselves as overweight, compared to just 43 percent of non-dieters.
In fact, 31 percent of those at their healthy weight, attribute it to the fact that they allow themselves nice food, while a further nine in ten say allowing treats is the secret to eating healthily most of the time, according to the poll by nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal.
According to the 2,000 Brits surveyed, the ideal ratio for healthy eating is 69 percent healthy and 31 percent treats, with those who are at their ideal weight saying that a slice of cake on someone’s birthday (65 percent), fish and chips on holiday at the beach (58 percent), chocolate on Easter Sunday (49 percent) and a plate of pasta in Italy (48 percent), are treats they will never say no to.
Baguette with good butter in France (35 percent), a slice of pizza on holiday (34 percent) and chips or fries with a steak (31 percent) are other foods, slim people do not forgo.
Other “now and then” treats which help keep weight down, include a cream tea when in Devon or Cornwall (28 percent), a bacon sandwich after a party (28 percent) and a hot dog in New York.
92 percent of those in the overweight category, said that yo-yo dieting over the years has made it harder for them to shift excess weight.
Overall, two thirds (66 percent) of the nation believe that eating a small amount of what you fancy is good for the soul, with 94 percent agreeing that life is about allowing yourself to enjoy what you like, in moderation and not to feel like anything is off limits.
Melissa Jaeger, Head of Nutrition at MyFitnessPal, comments, “The research highlights that making progress should be centred on finding balance within your diet, not the idea of‘perfection’. This New Year, we are encouraging people to let go of the all-or-nothing mindset when it comes to setting and achieving health goals. It’s not about giving up your favourite foods or moments with family and friends, rather it’s about making small, sustainable changes that add up over time.
“Tracking what you eat can help you understand the impact of your dietary choices, encouraging a healthier and more mindful approach to eating. When you allow room for flexibility, like enjoying a side of fries or having a slice of cake at a birthday party, you’re more likely to stay motivated to keep progressing towards your health goals”
It’s no surprise that 87 percent of serial dieters feel that depriving themselves of anything unhealthy or calorific has sometimes led them to binge or overeat, with a further 79 percent admitting that “fad” or “highly restrictive” diets have only led to failure.
Over half (57 percent) of the nation say they gain weight over Christmas, putting on an average of 5kg.
Despite 67 percent of us admitting we would like to lose weight in 2025, 38 percent think that ‘Banuary’ – avoiding unhealthy food and drink completely in January – makes facing the start of the year more depressing and difficult.
TREATS TO NEVER SAY NO TO, ACCORDING TO THOSE AT THEIR IDEAL WEIGHT
- A slice of cake on your birthday – 65%
- Fish and chips at the seaside – 58%
- Chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday – 49%
- A plate of pasta in Italy – 48%
- A few chips with a steak – 45%
- A slice of cake when someone has made one – 45%
- A Yorkshire pudding with your roast beef – 45%
- A slice of pizza on holiday – 43%
- A baguette with butter in France – 40%
- A mince pie in December – 40%
- Cornish and Devonshire cream teas – 39%
- A Cornish pasty in Cornwall – 39%
- An occasional Saturday night Chinese takeaway – 38%
- A 99-ice-cream with a flake on a sunny day – 38%
- A hot dog in New York- 38%
- A bacon sandwich the morning after a party – 36%
- Cheese and biscuits on Christmas Day – 33%
- A slice of takeaway pizza in front of your favourite movie – 32%
- A piece of Christmas pudding – 32%
- Popcorn at the cinema – 28%