We’ve all been there before. Our healthy endeavors start out in the right direction as we stroll the mall. Talk about killing two birds with one stone – shopping and exercising in tandem.
But the best-laid plans quickly go awry when you feel a sudden hunger pang. As you pass through the food court, you suddenly throw caution to the mind as your eyes become as wide as saucers at the site of gooey cinnamon rolls, greasy cheese fries and huge smoothies.
Suddenly, it’s not inconceivable to bypass that average 2,000 calorie a day allotment IN JUST ONE MEAL. Think it’s impossible to blow by 66 grams of fat, less than 20 grams of saturated fats, 2,400 milligrams of salt and 300 grams of carbs, including sugars, in a matter of moments? Well, think again.
Because that’s exactly how it can go down in the food court. Here are some of the biggest blunders made by starving shoppers. How many of these faux pas have you committed?
Buffets
Rows and rows of piping hot vittles. It’s food porn at its finest. Whether it’s an all-you-can-eat offering or foodie free-for-all, the buffet presents a clear and present danger for those watching their waistline. The greater the variety of available dishes, the greater the tendency to overeat, say food experts.
One interesting study noted that overweight individuals didn’t browse the buffet, they served themselves right away; they sat 16 feet closer to the food than those who were not overweight, and they used bigger plates if the selection were available.