Chefs have bad diets

 

 

 

A recent UK survey of 3000 workers found chefs have more unhealthy habits than any other profession. Researchers found chefs eat more junk food, smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol than any other workers. Other workers who have hazardous health habits include farmers, electricians, call centre workers, insurance workers and builders. The healthiest workers included advertising executives, teachers, accountants, lawyers, nurses and shop assistants.
"It may be surprising to see chefs at the top of the list, since you would expect them to be in the know when it comes to preparing a nice, healthy meal," says Peter Lauris of Medicash, the healthcare insurer that carried out the online poll. "But in reality, it's probably the last thing they feel like doing when they get home from work."

Chocolate, Banana, Potato: 7 foods you avoid but don't mess with your weight

 

When it comes to weight loss, many people are quite particular about what they should and shouldn't eat. But as it goes, there are plenty of foods that are often overlooked due to the fear that they may hinder weight loss. So here are 7 foods that you might avoid but don't necessarily mess with your weight

Potatoes

This starchy vegetable is often thought of as one of the least nutritious veggies and a food to avoid when it comes to losing weight. Eaten in moderation however, and cooked in a healthy way, the common potato can make a healthy addition to the diet, that won’t put on weight. Avoid large servings of mashed potato, wedges and fries, and instead enjoy a small baked potato, or some oven baked chips with paprika.
Keep the skins on for extra fibre and quercetin, a powerful antioxidant. Potatoes also provide potassium and vitamin C. Adding a little Greek yoghurt to your baked potato or drizzling a little olive oil on your baked chips will help lower the GI of your potatoes, which will help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.

 

Chocolate

If you are trying to lose weight you are right to limit regular milk chocolate that contains a high level of sugar and fat. However you don’t have to avoid chocolate all together. A couple of squares of good quality dark chocolate a few times a week won’t ruin your weight loss goals. Dark chocolate is higher in heart protective antioxidants and usually lower in sugars, butter fat and calories. When buying chocolate the darker and more pure the better.

 

Nuts

A small handful of raw nuts make an ideal snack or addition to muesli’s, smoothies and protein balls. Nuts are rich in protein which keeps blood sugar levels balanced and helps curb sugar cravings, so beneficial for people trying to cut out sugary foods from their diets. Nuts also contain healthy fats which are anti-inflammatory, calcium and magnesium for bone and nervous system health, and immune boosting zinc.
Having a 30g handful of raw nuts daily has been shown to help reduce your risk of heart disease by 30-50 per cent.

 

Cooking Oils

Healthy oils like cold pressed coconut and olive oil, used in moderation, are excellent oils to cook with that won’t promote weight gain. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids which are readily used as energy. It is a thermogenic food that will help give your metabolism, and fat burning capacity, a boost.
Olive oil is rich in heart healthy monounsaturated fats, and provides plenty of the antioxidant vitamin E. The oils you want to avoid are vegetable oils like canola, which turn into harmful trans-fats when heated.

 

Egg Yolks

Egg yolks have had a bad rap over the years and still some people trying to lose weight or who are watching their cholesterol levels prefer to opt for only using egg whites. In the past we were warned not to eat eggs to often as they are high in fat and cholesterol. Now we know that dietary cholesterol from eggs won’t have a great affect on our cholesterol levels, and won’t increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The healthy fats in eggs (mainly monounsaturated and saturated with some polyunsaturated fats) help keep you full, which is beneficial for beating hunger and preventing overeating. The yolks contain 43 per cent of the protein contained in eggs too.
The yolk also contains vitamin A, D, vitamin B12 and B6, and iron. Eggs also contain choline needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is vital for healthy brain function and memory.

 

Bananas

Don’t be put off bananas just because they are a higher carbohydrate and fructose-rich fruit. Bananas are low in calories and high in fibre, so they will make you feel full after eating. They also have a low GI, which means they won’t send your blood sugar levels soaring, making them a healthy snack or addition to breakfast cereals or smoothies for anyone watching their weight.
Bananas also contain plenty of vitamin C, potassium and vitamin B6. Moderation is the key, overdoing any carbohydrate rich food will cause weight gain. Having banana with protein rich yoghurt, nuts and seeds, will help lower their GI further.

 

 

Avocados

Avocadoes are often avoided by weight conscious individuals because they’re a high calorie food that is rich in fats. This wonderful fruit, when eaten in moderation – spread on toast, used in guacamole, or added to green smoothies or healthy desserts - is a healthy addition to the diet and will not promote weight gain.
The fats found in avocadoes are beneficial monounsaturated fats that help support cardiovascular health and can lower high cholesterol levels. Eating foods which contain healthy fats will help keep you full and satisfied after eating, so you are less likely to overeat at your next meal, or go for unhealthy snack options. Avocadoes also provide plenty of beta-carotene and vitamin E.