Nutritionists warn nutritionists

FOR millions of US, the Modest Meal Agreement is a total lifesaver.

It's a brilliantly cheap way to keep you satiated until dinner and to offer a drink, a main course and a treat (sweet or savory) for just £ 3.

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But you could get more than you bargain.

Because the portions of the food available as part of the package are huge.

According to Wired, eating a meal consisting of a sandwich, a small package of Doritos and a Naked smoothie actually equates to 5.8 servings of food.

How is it possible? Well, sandwich side, you have:

Chips

A package of Doritos 55 g can be marketed as the ideal accompaniment to a lunch for one person, but only 30 g is a serving.

This means that you eat 1.5 servings a pop.

smoothies

Do you think that you opt for a health option by choosing a fruit smoothie?

A bottle of Naked 360 ml contains up to three servings.

This wild difference between expectations compared to reality is due to the fact that food companies vary enormously in their products.

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Tropicana

OK, forget about the biggest bottle of smoothie.

Instead, opt for a small 300 ml bottle of Tropicana – an orange juice.

This little bottle is actually two servings.

Dietician Luci Daniels has written a report for the British Heart Foundation on "Portion Distortion". She told Wired that the food industry "may not be as open, honest and realistic as it could be."

"People watch the calories, but they probably will not see the very small font that says 15 grams, or five pieces, or whatever.

"It's wrong, because it's very misleading."

Can not stop eating

The problem is that despite the fact that the products contain portions, few people actually read the label – or are able to stop it from finishing, for example, a bag of chips or a bottle of juice .

How many times have you managed to put a pinch on a bag of snacks or break two squares of chocolate to save the rest?

If there are any, we will eat it – whether 20% too much or too little.

This is what is called the "unit bias", that is, we think we need or want to eat an entire unit of food, even if that is 39 is actually more than one serving.

Stack on the books

Dietitian and spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association, Helen Bond, told the Sun, "Eating out and getting food to go is a daily routine for many of us. take to work.

"A meal offer can be a balanced and economical option for lunch, but if you do not pay attention to your choice and do not consider the suggested portion size on the bag, your diet may lose its balance – and you may consume more calories, saturated fat, sugars and salt than you think.

"Studies have shown that when we get larger portions of food, we tend to eat more without even realizing it, so portion control can be difficult when you're eating at the table. -quick."

The portions are not the same for everyone

Sophie Bertrand, a nutritionist badociated with the rhitrition clinic, told us that portion control is different for everyone.

"We know that too many activities are not necessarily a good thing, but people's energy needs will always be slightly different.

"When it comes to meal deals containing large amounts of sugar, it's not about turning everyday to the same food."

"We know that diversity is essential in a well-balanced diet and a meal plan will not hurt."

While a large meal may be suitable for a 3-meter-tall scaffolder doing physical work all day, eating over these portions each day can make him a 5-foot workaholic. average.

Sophie suggests that before starting to eat, "note the suggested portion on the package and keep the surplus for later or another day".

"Also, bWe understand that a food manufacturer's idea that one serving is another may not be the same as yours, so the portion you serve yourself may contain more calories. "

Tips from nutritionists to get to know the menus

Check out nutritional information

Many places now provide nutritional information online, on menus and on packaging, to help you choose healthier foods and beverages.

It will also help you integrate the nutritional content of what you eat or drink in the context of your day.

Beware of bargains

Do not have to eat more just because it comes with the meal offer.

These little extras seem unimportant, but if it becomes a daily occurrence, over time, books can accumulate.

Discover the ingredients

You never really know what you eat in your food when you eat out. Even well-balanced lunches can contain large amounts of calories and fat.

After the name on the package, check the suggested ingredients and serving size mentioned in the description. If a salad contains a lot of cheese, bacon, croutons, olives and Caesar dressing, it may contain more calories and fat than other options on the menu.

Have conscience

Try to take your time to enjoy what you eat.

Concentrate on the taste, smell and texture of the food and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the lunch break and the company.

Not only does this add to the food experience, but it will put you in a better position to take control of what and how much you eat.

Look at food labels

Food labels can help you choose between foods and choose foods that have fewer calories, but consider the full nutritional benefits of eating.

What else does this food provide in the form of fat, saturated fat, sugars, salt, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals?

Prepare your meals

Pay extra when you prepare dinner and put it in a box for the next day.

Or, take time for a weekend and prepare a few lots of healthy bites to pick up in the fridge all week.

Variety is the spice of life

As tempting as it is to eat the same lunch every day, it may not serve you better.

If you are outside, try to ask yourself what your body will really thrive: one day, it could be a meal, the next day it could be a lunch box of salads.

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