Summer is coming to an end, and you might be starting to notice the need to loosen your belt one extra notch. This is a time of the year when many of us are careless about our diet, give ourselves more treats and like to indulge more than at other times of the year.
According to a study by www.nutritienda.com, 61% of Spaniards put on weight over the summer,especially when on holidays. Beers, ice cream, fast food, beach bars and a lack of exercise were all among the most common reasons mentioned.
The online store conducted a survey among 1500 people over 18 years of age throughout Spain to examine Spaniards’ eating habits during the summer.
All the people interviewed were first
asked if they had put on weight during the summer, maintained their usual
weight or lost weight, 61% of them said they had gained weight, 24% stayed the
same, and only 15% claimed they had
managed to lose weight. Women seemed more worried about not putting on a
few extra kilos than men, with 53% of
them putting on weight compared to 69% of men. All those who said they had
gained weight were asked if they knew roughly how much weight they had gained,
with 31% saying three kilos.
1
kilo – 14%
2 kilos – 26%
3 kilos – 31%
4 kilos – 17%
5 kilos or more – 12%
By age, 77.8% of
Spaniards between the ages of 45 and 53 gained weight during the
summer. Those aged between 27 and 35 are
apparently more concerned about their figure, with 34.5% of them said they had
put on weight.
18-26
years old 43.3%
27-35 years old 34.5%
36-44 years old 65.9%
45-53 years old 77.8%
54-62 years old 74.6%
+63 years old
68.8%
Those interviewed were then asked
what caused them to gain weight, and these were the most common reasons:
Increased consumption of alcohol (beer, wine, spritzer) – 58%.
Increased
consumption of ice cream and sweets – 47%.
Less exercise – 38%.
Snacks between meals – 34%.
Increased consumption of ready-made meals – 33%.
Snacking at beach bars – 26%.
Eating more food, more often outside the house with family and friends – 29%.
Increased consumption of long drinks – 17%.
All respondents who acknowledged
that they had put on weight during the summer were asked if they went on a diet
when the summer ended, 68% said they did, and the average length of time to
regain their ideal weight was two months.
Summer’s
not over just yet, and all is not lost. Experts at Nutritienda.com have drawn up
a list of tips to avoid gaining a few extra kilos, even if you’re on holidays:
Diet
– Adapt meals to your summer routine. Try to have lunch and dinner at
the same time each day.
– Transform typical winter dishes (stews
and fried or battered dishes) into more refreshing and healthy options:
gazpacho, legume salads, potato chips and roast vegetables, etc.
– Eat more oily fish (tuna, sardines, bonito, salmon,
etc.) than meat.
– Avoid high-calorie sauces and add flavour to your dishes with light
vinaigrettes, spices, olive oil and salt.
– Always have frozen fruit at home
to make homemade ice cream and avoid buying processed ice cream.
– Plan your meals away from home and always try to go for
healthy options like seafood appetisers, grilled octopus, skewered sardines,
etc. when eating out.
– Be adequately hydrated,
especially at the hottest time of the day.
– Replace alcohol with water and herbal teas. You can also try new
flavours by adding slices of fruit to jugs of water!
Sport:
– Take advantage of the beach and go for a
walk, or better still do it with
your feet in the water to find greater resistance.
– It’s the perfect time of year to go for
a swim at the beach or in swimming pools.
– In the mountain, enjoy the landscape while doing hiking routes and if adrenaline sports are more your thing try
climbing or potholing.
– Make the most of your free time and go on cultural excursions, visit
museums and exhibitions.
