How to stop snacking and lose weight during coronavirus lockdown

WHEN you’re at home in lockdown, you might find yourself reaching in the snack jar more than you’d like to admit.

And this may have left you fearing about gaining the so-called “Quarantine 15” – what some people have dubbed the weight gain likely to result from weeks of self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.

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In particular, dietitian Helen Bond says the snacks you much on during lockdown can make a huge difference to your waistline.

She tells us: “Snacking can be part of a balanced diet, and can be a great opportunity to sneak some extra nutrients into our diet.  

“But it’s important to choose our snack food wisely – even healthy looking snacks, like reduced fat biscuits, cereal bars, yogurt, cereals etc. might seem like virtuous choices, but not all are created equally – some are high in cholesterol-raising saturated fat and added or ‘free’ sugars – the type that we should be cutting down on for the sake of our teeth and waistlines.”

However, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid erratic eating and putting on that dreaded “Quarantine 15”.

Here, Helen shares her top tips on how to take control of your snacking…

1. Stop buying packaged snacks

Try to buy fewer packs of ‘unhealthy snacks’ when you do venture out to get your weekly shopping.

Helen says: “The danger of feeling bored, stressed and a little fed up being cooped up at home all the time, is that you’ll will turn to comfort foods and snacks to cheer yourselves up.

“So it’s time to stop buying over packaged high calorie, high fat, high salt foods during lockdown – we’re talking crisps, chocolates, biscuits, cakes and confectionery.

“If you don’t have them in you won’t be tempted to indulge when you need a little pick-me-ups.”

2. Load up cupboard with nutritious snacks

Make sure your cupboards are packed full with healthy treats to curb those cravings when they do hit.

“If you are a ‘snacker ‘ – load up your kitchen cupboards with healthy, nutritious snacks that will satisfy your hunger, help sustain energy for longer and keep you going till the next meal,” Helen says.

“Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, cheese and apple, no added sugar yogurts and berries, vegetable crudités with reduced fat hummus, tzatziki with wholegrain pitta slices or a hard boiled egg and wholemeal soldiers are all great.

“They’re so much more nutritious and filling than fatty, salty and sugary snacks.”

3. Keep to a daily routine

Keeping to a daily routine will help to stop you reaching in the biscuit tin.

Helen says: “It might feel like the days and weekends are rolled into one but it is important to stick to a daily routine for work, mealtimes, snacks and time with the family and create a new sense of normality, as we could be in ‘lockdown’ for many weeks to come.

“Otherwise your eating habits could turn into one long eating occasion, which will do your waistline no favours.”

4. Get active

Doing something different at the time you would usually have a sweet snack or treat and keeping active is a great way to curb cravings.

Helen says: “Exercise might seem like the last thing on your mind, but it will benefit your body and mind in so many ways, and of course, it will help topping up on your vitamin D and counteract those little snacking indulgences.

“So rather that slouching in front of the sofa, head outside for some fresh air and walk, once a day, go in the garden and play with the dog, or hook up to all of the many fitness video workouts online.”

There are countless online fitness classes that can help you get a sweat on and boost those endorphins in the comfort of your own home.

You could try out Joe Wicks’ daily P.E. lessons, which have well and truly become the nation’s favourite workout during lockdown.

Or fitness studio  between four and six  every single day – including abs blast sessions, revival yoga, HIIT, barre and meditation.