Can’t lose weight? Blame your kids – parents polish off extra 443kcals a week in leftovers
PARENTS are struggling to lose any weight and are piling on as much as half a stone a YEAR - as they are scoffing leftovers off their kid's plates.
A new study has revealed that mums and dads are pinching an extra 443 calories a week in leftovers from their kids' dinners.
And fatty foods including chips, pizza and sausages are among the treats parents are consuming the most from children's plates - with 49 per cent saying the main reason they pinch food is because they don't want to waste food.
Despite this, 29 per cent say they do it without thinking, 27 per cent say they polish off leftovers because it tastes so nice and 26 per cent say they just simply feel hungry.
One in ten parents admit to indulging in kids' leftovers every mealtime, while just 28 per cent claim they never eat their children's leftovers.
The mindless consumption of extra calories happens both during term time and over the holidays, even though two in three Brits think they eat more in general during the school holidays when they're off with their children.
The average Brit consumes an extra 443 calories week from munching on their kids' leftovers during term time, with this leaping to 506 calories during the school holidays.
On top of this parents are also racking up the calories by sharing their snacks - with 12 per cent of us admitting we eat our kids' snacks every time we give them one.
The research, which polled 3,003 people, was commissioned by LighterLife Fast, that focuses on mindful eating.
Ways to burn an extra 500 calories every day
Nutritionist Susie Burrell has shared her top five tips for cutting back on calories and burning fat.
1. Drink ice cold water
Just as the body burns more energy keeping the body temperature stable in cold conditions, so too does it have to work harder when we expose it to cold liquids and foods.
2. Up your protein intake at each meal
Basing each of your meals and snacks around whole, protein-rich foods will contribute to an estimated extra calorie burn of 20-30 calories per meal or up to 100-120 extra calories per day in total.
3. Switch to walking catch-ups
It may be a regular meeting that you take at work, or swapping your coffee date with a friend to a walk and coffee date, but scheduling active catch-ups is an easy way to factor more movement into your regular day minus the stress of adding in extra exercise.
4. Get a standing desk
All those office treats aren't being burnt off because you're not moving for nine hours.
5. Give your heart-rate a boost first thing
Starting each day with a short burst of high-intensity activity is an easy way to boost your daily calorie burning potential.
A spokesperson said: ";Mindful eating is a lifestyle change, not a diet.
"It encourages consumers to be in the moment when they are eating, focussing on what is in front of them.
"This brings focus back to portion control, food groups and flavours on a plate, whilst also encouraging consumers to listen to their bodies and determine when they are genuinely hungry or full."
It comes after one man admitted he became morbidly-obese after scoffing the leftovers on his children's plates.
Darren Abbotts, 41, tipped the scales at a belly-busting 28 stone 11lbs after gorging on food left by his four children.
Similarly, finance manager Claire Grant admitted she became a size-24 after eating leftovers - but has now manage to shed ten stone.
Despite this, eating leftovers can sometimes be good for the waist-line - according to Martina Della Vedova, a nutritionist for Natures Plus.
She said: "If the night before you had oven-cooked salmon with herbs and a green salad, then having the leftovers for breakfast is not a bad idea.
"But if you indulged in pizza or fish and chips, then maybe rethink the dinner leftovers as a breakfast option.
More on diet and weight loss
"It is essential to start the day with energy and a clear mind to sustain activities throughout the day.
"Choose foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, and good protein and fats.
"A healthy and fulfilling option can be poached or scrambled eggs on a piece of whole grain bread and a freshly made green juice."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.