Knowing what’s driving your eating habits is half the battle when it comes to losing weight
Still eating like you’re in lockdown? Bikini weather causing you panic? You’re not alone – 42% of Brits lack confidence as a result of months spent at home, with 13% trying to lose weight ever since *.
‘Many of us reach for sugary foods out of habit or for comfort,’ says nutritional therapist Hannah Braye. But if you can learn to identify your triggers – whether that’s succumbing to elevenses or being prone to late-night snacking – you
can start to put strategies
in place to tackle those
weak moments. Take our test to discover what has you reaching for the snacks, and the healthy eating approaches you might find helpful.
HELP YOUR HEART
By curbing emotional eating, you’ll also protect your heart health, found the European Society of Cardiology.
THE QUIZ
Circle each answer that best applies to you.
1Do you eat regular meals?
A No, I frequently skip meals.
B Inever miss a meal – ever!
C Yes, but I have lots of extras when I’m having a bad day.
D No, I tend to just eat when I can.
2 What kind of snacker are you?
A Pretty much every time I go into the kitchen I have to grab a snack.
B I’m an impulse snacker – and my snacking can quickly turn into a binge.
C I’m either avoiding snacks altogether or eating a whole packet of Jaffa Cakes in one go.
D Idon’t do snacks.
3 How after eating your evening meal?
A Stuffed – Iate too much.
B Annoyed with myself because I can’t seem to stop eating foods I know aren’t any good for me.
C So full, I feel sleepy. But I starved myself all day, so it’s OK – right?
D Idon’t really notice. I usually eat dinner while watching TV.
4 Which of these best describes your attitude towards food?
A It’s my enemy. I’m always on a diet, but I can’t seem to lose weight.
B Ifeel as if I’ve never quite had enough of it, even though I know I have.
C Few things make me happier in life than a good meal.
D Ihate the way food seems to control me sometimes.
5 What are your main priorities when it comes to your diet?
A To lose weight at all costs.
B To stop sabotaging my mainly healthy, balanced diet by eating unhealthy snacks.
C Not to get bored – I’m always trying out new recipes.
D No more shameful binges.
6 When you go on a diet, what tends to scupper your good intentions?
A Ineed treats when I’m anxious, tired or stressed.
B I’m hungry all day, then I overeat when I get home.
C Ifind it difficult to eat a meal that I know would taste better with butter in it.
