A pan-India study of snacking among women and children by research agency AC Nielsen shows that in Bangalore 95% women and 88% children consume unhealthy snacks. This include noodles, chips, namkeen, pastas, biscuits/bakery products. And the binging hours was found to be at its peak during 5 -7 pm.
Nutritionists and dieticians say that it is important to dispel misperceptions about the benefit of snacks.
Jyoti Prasad, chief dietician of Manipal Hospital feels, “young people have high cholesterol as they binge on fast food which has trans fats and saturated fats. The consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains have come down and replaced with high sugar, high fat and high salt foods, needless to say, high in calories and predispose the individual to higher levels of cholesterol, weight and diabetes and heart diseases. As there is so little fibre in the diet, the cholesterol stays in the blood without being eliminated leading to cardio-vascular diseases.
The gap between tea-time and dinner time can be bridged with healthy snack options such as salads with a low calorie dip, fruits with skin, whole grains as in sprouts, whole wheat bread, high fibre, low sugar biscuits and soups etc.”
What ‘bingers’ do not realise is that a long gap between meals can lead to hyperacidity.
Sheela Krishnaswamy, Managing Partner and Founder, NICHE finds that when one is hungry between two major meals, the tendency to eat unhealthy food is high. I hope the survey results will prompt people to opt for healthy snacks like fruits, soups, juices, sprouts, nuts, salads, etc. between meals,” she adds.
Most ‘young professionals’, especially those who work in the BPOs and IT sectors in the city have been found to have increased body fat.
“Going to the gym is no excuse for binging. You only lose calories, you cannot do anything about the cholestrol built-up. My advice is to have three good meals and if you do feel hungry have healthy snacks,” she advises. She also emphasises on the awareness about this through lecture and workshops.
It is not just women and children, men also are binge victims which will create havoc as they get into middle-age.They tend to put weight on the stomach whereas for women it’s the hip where the fat accumulates.
The increasing rate of obesity in children is now all too visible, especially in Bangalore.
“It all depends on parents. The children should be given healthy snacks and the habit of exercising inculcated in them. It is the sedentary lifestyle that could lead to obesity,” Jyoti adds.
Well, you may be addicted to that snacking moment because of long working hours, even longer commuting, but in the long run that one snack might just pack you off.
