Gathering friends for lunch can be a very pleasant moment of the day, but this habit can make women consume more calories than in a meal eaten alone. This is what researchers from the University of Birmingham, England, say in an article published in scientific journal Appetite.
According to the study, women ingest 150 more calories, on average, when they are accompanied by other people. The researchers believe that, in addition to being distracted between one conversation and another, we have evolved to eat more when we are in a group, sharing meals.
The English research took place in two stages. In the first, 26 women went to the university’s laboratory for six days to eat their meals – the participants were accompanied by a friend on three days and the rest of the time, they ate alone. They ate, on average, 540 more calories on days when they had company.
In the second phase of the study, with 63 women, the researchers observed that the volunteers who ingested more calories than recommended in social gatherings did not balance their intake during the day by eating less afterwards. In practice, women can gain about four kilos a year if they have at least one meal a day accompanied by other people.
“It’s important to know that eating socially, even just a quick lunch with friends, is likely linked to taking in more calories,” says Professor Suzanne Higgs, lead author of the study.
Although the research was done only with women, Suzanne believes that the results would be similar for men. “We expect the same effect in both sexes,” she says.
Experts point out that the result is not a sentence for people to start making meals alone, but a tip to plan ahead and choose healthier options from the menu.
“When having friends over for dinner, serve yourself a fixed portion, so you don’t continue to serve yourself without thinking. This can be a good strategy”, suggests the author of the study.
See the best diets to eat healthy:
Dash Diet – The acronym means, in Portuguese, Methods to Combat Hypertension and focuses not only on reducing the amount of sodium ingested, but on foods rich in protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium and calcium. The diet is 20 years old and is recognized by several scientific publications for its efficiency in reducing blood pressure and controlling weight.iStock
mediterranean_dietMediterranean Diet – Based on fresh food, chosen according to the season, and natural, it is interesting because it allows moderate consumption of wine, milk and cheese. The menu is traditional in Italy, Greece and Spain, uses a lot of fish and olive oil, and, since 2010, is considered intangible heritage of humanity. In addition to helping you lose weight, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
dose-juice-ocnsb17U6FE-unsplashFlexitarian Diet – It suggests a reduction of up to 70% in meat consumption, replacing animal protein with vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and cereals. With the regimen, the organism would be better nourished and function better. It is recommended to start by replacing red meat with chicken or fish and seek a nutritionist to monitor the need for vitamin B12 supplementation, found in foods of animal origin.Dose Juice/Unsplash
Buddha bowl dish with chicken fillet, brown rice, pepper, tomato, broccoli, onion, chickpea, fresh lettuce salad, cashew and walnuts. Healthy balanced eating. Topview. white backgroundMIND Diet – Inspired by the Mediterranean and Dash diets, MIND is specifically designed to optimize brain health, cutting out any food that could affect the brain and focusing on nuts, leafy vegetables and some fruits. A study done by the US National Institute on Aging found that patients who followed the diet lowered their risk of Alzheimer’s by 35% to 53%, according to discipline to follow recommendations.iStock
Ingredients for a healthy breakfastTLC Diet – Created by the National Institute of Health of the United States, it intends to cut cholesterol to improve the diet of patients. Vegetables, fruits, whole grain breads, cereals, whole grain pasta and lean meats are allowed. There are variations according to each goal, such as improving cholesterol and losing weight.
david-b-townsend-fV3zTanbO80-unsplashNordic Diet – As the name suggests, the diet is based on the cuisine of Nordic countries and places a lot of emphasis on eating fish (salmon, herring and mackerel), legumes, whole grains, dairy products, nuts and vegetables, as well as canola oil in place of olive oil. . According to the WHO, the regimen reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.David B Townsend/Unsplash
stir fried vegetablesVolumetric Diet – Created by nutritionist Barbara Rolls, the idea is to reduce the amount of calories in meals, while maintaining the volume of food eaten. Whole foods are used, fruits and vegetables that provide satiety and foods are divided by energy density
hello-mishchenko-VRB1LJoTZ6w-unsplashWeight Watchers – The program has existed for over 50 years and establishes a number of points for each type of food and a maximum daily goal for each person, who can create their own menu within the guidelines. In addition, there is an incentive for physical activities and meetings between participants to exchange experiences.Hello Mishchenko/Unsplash
rui-silvestre-D3lKRy7A_FY-unsplashMayo Clinic Diet – Published in 2017 by doctors at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most recognized hospitals in the United States, the program is divided into two parts: lose and live. In the first stage, 15 habits are reviewed to ensure that the patient does not give up and fruits and vegetables are released. Then you learn how many calories to eat and where to find them. No food groups are eliminated and everything works in balanceRui Silvestre/Unsplash
sharon-chen-L1ZhjK-R6uc-unsplashAsian Diet – The continent is huge, but there are common traits in the gastronomy of the entire region. A Boston NGO has defined a food pyramid based on eastern customs: vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains, as well as soy, fish and seafood are widely used, while dairy products, eggs and other oils can be consumed in lower frequency. The diet also calls for at least six glasses of water or tea a day, and sake, wine and beer can be enjoyed in moderation. Sharon Chen/Unsplash
0
Get news from metropolises on your Telegram and stay on top of everything! Just access the channel: https://t.me/metropolesurgente.
