New research led by experts at MyFitnessPal have revealed that we massively underestimate the number of calories found in our favourite foods.
It revealed that almost a third of Brits (32%) still try to count calories on a daily basis – however seven in ten will estimate rather than know for sure.
So, it’s hardly surprising that over a fifth of the Brits polled (22%) are at a total loss when it comes to losing weight.
The study found that the average person has tried at least seven diets in their lifetime – with women being the most likely to try a diet, on average nine times during their life.
The stats were released just after the World Health Organisation revealed that the UK is now the fourth most obese country in Europe with 63% of adults either overweight or obese.
With breakfast widely touted as the most important meal of the day, what are the calories found in some of your favourite breakfast foods?
(Image: Getty)
Breakfast is said to help kickstart our metabolism, helping to burn more calories throughout the day.
Breakfast has also been shown to help with energy, providing much-needed focus for work or exercise.
A healthy breakfast refuels your body and replenishes the glycogen stores that supply your muscles with immediate energy.
However, eating the wrong types of food in the morning or having little care for how many calories you may be consuming will have the opposite effect for weight loss and energy.
So just how calorie-dense are your favourite breakfast foods? Let’s take a look:
- One portion of yogurt – 59 calories
- One portion of fruit – 60 calories
- One piece of brown toast – 75 calories
- One egg – 76 calories
- One piece of white toast – 85 calories
- Bowl of porridge – 215 calories
- One sausage – 346 calories
- Cereal – 379 calories
- Muffin – 377 calories
- Granola – 471 calories
- Two pieces of bacon – 541 calories.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to the NHS, an ideal daily intake of calories varies depending on age, metabolism and levels of physical activity, among other things.
Generally, the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.
With a hefty breakfast of bacon or sausages or a large bowl of granola, it’s easy to see how these calories can quickly add up before the day has even commenced.
Calories are essential for human health.
The key is consuming the right amount.
Nutritional expert Amanda Hamilton explained: “There are so many calorific foods on offer and very few people actually know how many calories are in them.
“Sadly, many of these calorie-confusing foods are also low on the nutrient scale, so it’s a double whammy.”
