How to beat the classic diet traps
Losing weight can be hard work and there are common traps that we've all fallen into along the way. But with a bit of awareness you can overcome them, get those pounds off and keep them off. Here are some classic diet mistakes you'll probably recognise.. and the easy ways to avoid making them.
Too tired to diet
The problem:
Feeling exhausted can be a trigger to reach for food as your body tries to compensate for lack of energy.
The solution:
Choose foods that will fill you up and give you slow release energy without lots of calories. Good options for meals are porridge, pasta, chicken or fish sandwiches made with grainy bread, or vegetable soup. Snack on nuts, dried or fresh fruit and low fat yogurts. A moderate caffeine hit at lunch time (a cup or two of coffee) will help you through that afternoon dip, but don't overdo it.
Getting emotional
The problem:
You've just had a blazing row with your partner so you reach for the biscuit tin.
The solution:
Occasional comfort eating isn't a major problem if you get back on track and don't beat yourself up about what's happened. But you can't solve a serious emotional eating problem unless you tackle what's causing the unhappiness in the first place. You may need help from a dietitian who specialises in emotional eating disorders.
Feeling guilty
The problem:
Many of us feel so hung up about eating 'naughty' food (like chocolate or cake) that we eat large amounts quickly, and guiltily, without really enjoying the experience.
The solution:
Start loving food again by noticing which foods genuinely please and satisfy you, and which make you feel sick or uncomfortable. The welcome outcome is that you'll learn to stop eating food when it stops tasting good, or when you're full. Remember no one food is 'bad', it's your overall diet that counts.
By Angela Dowden, nutritionist
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Where to next?
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Rosemary Conley says you can give in to your cravings
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Angela Dowden on an easy way to lose 7lb
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Always be prepared, says Becky Houghton
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Teresa Owen on getting in touch with your appetite
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Angela Dowden on diet treats you're allowed
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Jaffa Cakes for emergencies, says Teresa Owen
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Robert Rees on why frozen and tinned foods count
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Angela Dowden on avoiding trans fats
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Watch the sugar
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Angela Falaschi on how to snack healthily
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Stephanie Driver shows how to cut calories in drinks
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
lisa, about 1 year
I love porridge also for breakfast, as I walk my dog for an hour every morning then go to work, where I have a very active job, I find I need a good energy provider to get me through till about 2 o clock in the afternoon before lunch, as an alternative I have a multiseeded bagel, toasted with 1 egg scrambled and a dd a thin slice of hame with it, to give me a real protein boost, it fills me up and stops those cravings at about 12o clock!!!
Report this commentCLAIRE, about 1 year
i love my poridge with fruit in the morning to start my day and gives me the energy i need to work out in the gym. how will i cope with no porridge first thing.. HELP
Report this commenttoni, about 1 year
i have offen have a thing about chocolate but i tend to just forget about it because in the end i think why am i doing a stupid thing like that i exercise once every 2 days just a run round the block then i only eat little foods and healthy foods when i do
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patricia, about 1 year
I joined weight watchers 3 to 4 months ago and have managed to loose 19lb but finding it a struggle and want to comfort eat. my weight problem effects my health as i have an heart condition. i now weigh 18st 3lb and can you advice me on ways off reducing my craving for any foods especially sweet things.
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