If you've always suspected that love makes you fat, you can now feel vindicated. A 2007 report published by the Human Nutrition Research Centre at Newcastle University in the UK found that women tend to eat more foods that are higher in sugar and fat, and to exercise less, after moving in with a man. We burn 26 percent fewer kJ a day than guys do, so if we match their eating habits, we tend to pile on the fat.
Luckily you don't have to lose your love to lose your love handles. Here, how to balance the scales without giving up all your favourite guy foods.
His Habit: Pretending vegetables don't exist
A survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 10 percent more women than men eat three or more vegetables a day.
- Your Damage: Trade one cup of steamed broccoli for the same portion of cooked rice, and you add 630kJ to your meal. To burn off the difference, you'd have to run at 8kph for about 20 minutes.
Slim Solution: Only 5 percent of the men in a US National Cancer Institute survey said they don't like the taste of fruits and vegetables, so your house mate isn't likely to object if you send some his way. If you're having pasta or rice, mix in cooked vegetables with ½ cup of cooked rice saves you 550kJ versus 2 cups of rice alone- enough to prevent a 6.3 kg yearly weight gain.
His Habit: Prime-time munching
Watching telly while you eat may make you lose track of that pizza. A study at Johns Hopkins University in the US found the more people were into what was on the box, the less aware they were of how much they'd eaten from the plate.- Your Damage: A 55 kg woman burns only about 225 kJ an hour watching TV (an 80 kg man burns 310 kJ per hour). Devouring a half tube of Pringles during 3 hours of watching cricket leaves you with a 1318 kJ surplus- about 45g of fat per cricket session.
Slim Solution: First, you're better off watching something dull than an easy to love program like Flight of the Conchords. The Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago released a study in June showing that TV viewers ate an average of 44 percent more potato chips while watching a program they found entertaining, says Dr. Alan Hirsch, the foundation's neurological director. Are you as into the game as he is? Then fill a giant bowl with some light microwave popcorn and munch away. Most brands contain just 80 to 100 kJ per cup popped, so even if you scoff 6 cups, you've consumed only 600 kJ the amount in less than one-sixth of a can of Pringles.
His Habit: Sculling beer with every meal
Ok, now brace yourself for some shocking news. Here it comes: a lot of men like to knock back a cold one after work.- Your Damage: He prefers drinking with a buddy, and tag - you're it. But even a stubby of low-carb beer, like Hahn Super Dry contains 415kJ. Have one 4 nights a week and you'll see a 2.7 kilo weight gain in a year's time. Eek!
Slim Solution: While he might be able to get away with it every night, you probably can't. Ask him to stock the fridge with only enough bottles for himself so you'll be less tempted (and he'll be more possessive). And when you need to bounce back from a killer day, schedule a massage instead.
His Habit: Meals on wheels
A 2006 online survey of 2,000 people by market research company Mintel found that men eat fast food more often than women, and tend to choose burgers and French fries over salads and other healthy options.- Your Damage: Sharing a ride makes you captive to his drive-thru addiction. One fast-food grilled-chicken sandwich has 2829kJ. For that you could eat the skinless breast of quarter of a roast chicken, a half cup of couscous and a 100g of cooked green beans, a glass of OJ, and still save more than 1000kJ. Indulge even once a week means you'll be about one pants size in a year.
Slim Solution: Before you hop into the car, throw your favorite portable healthy food - a banana, nuts, yoghurt. If you have something satisfying to chow on during his greasy rendezvous, you won't be so tempted to add to his order.
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