It’s that time of year again. Now that we’re back to the grind of early mornings, long days, and late nights, our daily fitness routines and diets, naturally, are being put on hold. We’re not graded on it; it’s something we do for ourselves. With the weight of school on our shoulders and the stress that consumes us, how can we think of and prioritize anything else but school? We’re all guilty of it, whether it’s because we have a meal plan and it is all close, convenient, and yummy, or because we are all surrounded by so much prepared goods. We always have things to do and places to be. So why shouldn’t you grab that sweet beverage and baked treat while rushing to class?
Professor Jane Ogden from the University of Surrey has provided empirical evidence that eating on-the-go leads to overeating later on in the day. Professor Jane Ogden’s findings were supported by her study conducted with 60 female participants and three different conditions, where each different condition had a different supply of snacks. The result? Compared to the first two conditions, where participants watched a short clip of ‘Friends’ or had a conversation whilst sitting opposite a friend, the third condition, where participants walked around a corridor, resulted in them consuming five times more chocolate than the other groups. Ogden has also supported that walking is the powerful distraction that interrupts our ability to process the impact of what we’re eating on our hunger level, and allows us to justify our rushing around and walking as a reward to (over)eat what we want to later on or directly in the moment.
So, is it really worth it? NO! And as I previously mentioned, everyone is guilty, including me. I have a huge sweet tooth so those convenient baked goods and coffee drinks were always so much more appealing. Some advice, go to the grocery store and buy some fruit and/or nut granola bars, fresh fruit, and a water bottle so you always have water handy! Water is a magical thing. Pack these things in your bag the night before so if you’re in a rush you have no excuse. You and your body will greatly thank you later. You’ll feel better, more energized, and ready to take on anything!!
Written by Laura Spong
References:
University of Surrey. “Eating ‘on the go’ could lead to weight gain, new research finds.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 August 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150820212646.htm>.