I have been at a few holiday buffets recently. Everything on the table looks quite tempting.
I want to taste a little of everything. At each buffet, I tend to eat more than I need. Maybe I am the only one affected by food temptation.
I don’t think so.
Many people wonder why they gain weight. They are sure that they are not eating very much. Consider this scenario about tiny tastes I adapted from a former Nebraska colleague. Calories from these small treats can add up fairly quickly.
Taste 1: A cookie broke on the cookie sheet, so you ate it. (30 calories)
Taste 2: A piece of peanut brittle in a bowl on the counter attracts your attention. (80 calories)
Taste 3: You were missing an ingredient, so you made a quick trip to the grocery store. You pick up a food sample (a cracker and spread). (40 calories)
Taste 4: You pick up a box of chocolate-covered cherries. They remind you of your younger days and you enjoy one for a treat in the car. (60 calories)
Taste 5: You are a little thirsty, so you enjoy a half cup of creamy eggnog. (200 calories)
Taste 6: You are preparing a snack buffet. You have a few chips and dip. (75 calories)
Taste 6: You taste the ice cream while dishing dessert. (OK, you had two spoonsful.) (70 calories)
Add up the calories from the treats and it totals 555 calories.
You can counterbalance treats with physical activity and less food at other meals. To burn 500 calories, you would need to swim or cycle for an hour or run fast for 40 minutes.
Source: ndsu.edu
Photo Credit - gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: North Dakota, General