How many treats should you eat in a day? Dietitian reveals the EXACT amount of kilojoules to consume in sweets and wine - and the best options to pick
- Australian dietitian Susie Burrell understands people are reaching for treats
- The cold winter weather and coronavirus isolation has made people turn to food
- Our favourite sweets can be between 600-800kJ (150-200 cals) in one serving
- The average woman requires 6,276kJ (1,500 cals) a day to survive and thrive
- This leaves you with 800-2,000kJ a day to eat snacks and the occasional treat
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Australian dietitian Susie Burrell (pictured)
An Australian dietitian has warned against over-indulging in 'treats' heading into winter - and revealed how many kilojoules people should stick to each day.
A 'treat' differs from a 'snack' as it's high in kilojoules, sugar and fat, and provides more by way of taste and pleasure than it does in nutritional value, whereas a snack - like an apple - still fuels your body in between meals.
Susie Burrell told Body and Soul eating too many treats per day is a common faux pas as even small 600-800 kilojoule (150-200 calorie) options add up over time.
'When you consider that a small female requires around 6,276kJ (1,500 calories) each day, an additional 1,255-1,673kJ (300-400 calories) via chocolate and a couple of glasses of wine can slowly lead to weight gain,' she warned.
The average female will eat three meals a day that will provide at least 4,184kJ (1,000 calories) of those 6,276kJ (1,500 calories) a day, leaving her with anywhere between 800 and 2,000kJ (200-500 calories) to spend on snacks and potential treats.
The average female will eat three meals a day that will provide at least 4,184kJ (1,000 calories) of those 6,276kJ (1,500 calories) a day, leaving her with anywhere between 800 and 2,000kJ (200-500 calories) to spend on snacks and potential treats.
'For most people this equates to one small 400-800kJ (100-200 calorie) treat each day to prevent weight gain,' Susie said.
The average man will need 8,368kJ (2,000 calories) a day to function, and therefore are permitted, on average, 900kJ (215 calories) a day to be eaten as snacks or potential treats.
While you are allowed to have one small snack a day - particularly if weight loss is not your goal - as part of a balanced diet, you might be inclined to limit your treats mid-week if you're likely to binge on a weekend of drinking or takeaway food.
'You may enjoy dessert, or a decent sized chocolate bar, a more indulgent ice cream or a few glasses of wine a couple of times each week as opposed to limiting yourself to small portions on every day of the week,' she said.
'You may enjoy dessert, or a decent sized chocolate bar, a more indulgent ice cream or a few glasses of wine a couple of times each week as opposed to limiting yourself to small portions on every day of the week,' she said
Susie recommends reaching for lower kilojoule treats on the days you are wanting something sweet to maintain that balance
Susie recommends reaching for lower kilojoule treats on the days you are wanting something sweet to maintain that balance.
Chocolate, strawberry or rainbow Paddle Pops contain 330kJ (80 calories) per single serve and therefore are a welcome alternative, while strawberries with icing sugar give you a treat hit with a side of healthy fruit.
Two squares of Lindt Excellence Extra Fine Squares will only cost you 481kJ (114 calories), while oil-popped popcorn is even less at 293kJ (70 calories) for two cups.
Finally, gelato is a relatively safe treat option so long as you choose a small cup.
