07/03/2018
This week, published the report 'Calorie reduction: The scope and ambition for action ‘ which detailed, amongst other incentives, a recommendation of a diet that consisted of 400kcal for breakfast, and 600kcal each for lunch and dinner 🍽 A large part of the report was focused on childhood overweight and obesity. I, like most of those in the nutrition field, have something to say about this 🧐
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To be blunt, calorie restriction is, in my opinion, not the answer. Increasing energy expenditure 🚴🏼♀️, and making smarter food choices should be prioritised, and this comes back to my constant inciting that more needs to be done about nutrition education 🍎Is this educating the public about nutrition? No, this is educating them to track their calories, to restrict each meal. We are already part of of a diet culture, do we really need this instilled in us by the government too? 🤔
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We need to consider food composition.A sausage roll contains a similar amount of calories as this smoothie bowl🍌🍓, and both would fit in the 400kcal recommendation for breakfast. But are they nutritionally equal? 🤨Absolutely not. As it is not just the caloric value of a food that is important, it is the entire composition. The macronutrient (proteins, carbs, fats) and micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) profile of a food is arguably of greater significance 🥗
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Rather than focusing on the numbers 🔢, we should be focusing on the food quality, and teaching mindfulness regarding the foods which with we choose to fuel our body 💪🏻We should be teaching ourselves, and our children, to love our bodies, to show them kindness, and to nourish them so we can thrive and flourish 💚Healthy habits are not formed around calorie counting and food restriction, they are formed with knowledge and education 🤓
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(Continued in comments)
