Fat-burning commandments you must abide by

Working out on a regular basis is just one part of losing weight - but there are plenty of other ways which can help you blast that unwanted fat. Follow these tricks and watch your waistline disappear...

  

 

Keep cool, calm and collected

Stress can wreak havoc with your hormones, which will not only affect sleep patterns but can also promote fat stores.

Stress can also be a major trigger when it comes to visceral fat - body fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity and is therefore stored around a number of important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines.

This is the fat associated with increased risks of a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes.

Taking time out to relax will help shift this fat while a good night’s sleep is also essential.

Grab an early night

If we don’t get enough shuteye then our metabolism slows down to conserve energy.

The slowdown then triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which increases appetite and ultimately increases your calorie intake.

A study in Finland looked at sets of identical twins and discovered that in each set of siblings, the twin who slept less and was under more stress had more visceral fat.

Make time in the morning

We are always told breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is when you are trying to get fit and stay fit.  Eating breakfast kickstarts your metabolism and the heartier the meal the better.

Research shows that people who skip breakfast are four and a half times more likely to be obese.

A further study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that volunteers who consumed 22 to 55 per cent of their total calories at breakfast gained only 1.7 pounds on average over 4 years. Those who consumed zero to 11 per cent gained nearly 3 pounds.

Grab that coffee

Caffeine not only wakes us up, it also acts a stimulant to the metabolism, boosting it by 5 to 8 per cent which can equate to burning between 98 and 174 calories.

But when we say coffee, we’re not talking about a calorie laden special from your local coffee shop; we’re talking a black or white single shot.

Go organic

Researchers say eating organic foods can not only make you healthier but also live longer.

Fruit and artificial fertilisers have been shown to have significantly more key nutrients, including vitamin C, which can extend average lifespans typically by 25 days for men and 17 days for women.

Organic produce also has higher levels of compounds, which encourage the body to burn fat.

Canadian researchers found that dieters who ate regular fruit and vegetables had more pollutants from pesticides (organochlorines), which are stored in fat cells.

When they then dieted they experienced a greater-than-normal dip in their metabolism, making it harder to lose pounds.

Swap your three balanced meals for six smaller ones

By opting for six smaller meals instead of three main meals your body will be constantly supplied with all the nutrients it needs to look after itself and burn fat.

This means your resting metabolic rate increases and your body will be prevented from kicking into "starvation" mode. This is where your body starts burning muscle for energy, increasing your body-fat stores and slowing down your metabolism.

Stand up to fat

Periods of inactivity, of four hours or more, can cause a near shut- down of an enzyme that controls fat and cholesterol metabolism, according to Missouri University researchers.

So make sure you keep active, even while you work. It’s easy to get carried away working at your desk so set your alarm for regular intervals and even if you just walk around the office, or stand up and walk on the spot while talking on the phone, this will stop you going into standby mode.

Spice things up

Capsicum, the compound that gives chillies their heat, is great for firing up your metabolism, so make sure you keep a pack or even a jar of ready chopped chilli to hand so you can add to just about everything you cook.

Don’t get stuck in a rut

It’s easy to get stuck in a food routine, especially when dieting. You are so focussed on calorie intake that your body can start interfering too.

If you stick to the same number of calories on a daily basis your body will adjust by lowering its metabolic rate to prevent you from burning off too much body fat.

By varying your calorie intake every few days you will keep the starvation mechanism in check and continue to burn fat.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/fat-burning-commandments-abide-090000575.html

How to Boost Metabolism – Lose Weight Fast Naturally with 3 Easy and Cheap Metabolism Boosting Diets

Metabolism is a very important reason why some people are fat or overweight. This is also the reason why some people stay skinny no matter how much they eat. If you are one of the unfortunate people who are stuck with a very slow metabolism, there are ways in which you can boost your metabolism and achieve a healthy weight loss.

Recommended Water Intake
You probably heard about the saying that drinking eight glasses of water a day provides numerous health benefits. Water keeps you hydrated, regulates the body temperature, aids in good digestion and detoxifies. While this saying is true, there is also another reason why you should be drinking plenty of water daily.

According to a recent research in Germany, drinking approximately 17 ounces of water immediately speeds up metabolism. The metabolic rate of a person can go up as high as 30% when he or she drinks 8 glasses of water daily. It also washes down the by-products of fat breakdown and suppresses hunger, helping you to lose weight.

Think about it, these are great reasons why you should drink as much as you can. Remember to drink a lot more when you are exercising or suffering from extremely hot weather.

Importance of Exercise

Exercise is the best way of how to speed up your metabolism. It is ideal to exercise in the morning right after waking up in order to boost your metabolism right away. The increase in metabolism will last throughout the day or more depending on the type of exercise.

 Weight training, according to experts, is the best type of exercise to speed up metabolism. The effect of a 25 minute proper weight training program on your metabolism can last two to three days after the workout.
This should be combined with cardiovascular work-out in order to achieve the highest amount of weight loss in the shortest time possible. Cardiovascular exercise also increases metabolism but only for short periods. Jillian Michaels, a famous fitness instructor describes in detail her methods to boost metabolism. Learn more here.

How to Boost Metabolism with Foods

It is important to learn how to boost metabolism naturally by eating the right kinds of food. High protein food that is low in fat is an ideal metabolism food. Protein is hard to breakdown so the body has to work harder and burn a lot of calories in order to digest high protein foods properly. The best high protein foods for increasing metabolism are chicken breast, lean beef and turkey.

Fiber rich foods are also great natural metabolism boosters. These foods also require the body to burn extra calories for proper breakdown aside from cleansing the digestive tract. Fiber also gives a person the feeling of fullness quicker thus less food and calories are consumed resulting to weight loss. Some of the best choices are spinach, broccoli and other green leafy vegetables.

Studies also suggest eating 5 smaller meals a day in order to increase metabolism. Add high protein sources and high fiber foods in each meal and the weight will come off faster.
http://irresistiblehealth.com/?p

Fat-burning commandments you must abide by

Working out on a regular basis is just one part of losing weight - but there are plenty of other ways which can help you blast that unwanted fat. Follow these tricks and watch your waistline disappear...

  

 

Keep cool, calm and collected

Stress can wreak havoc with your hormones, which will not only affect sleep patterns but can also promote fat stores.

Stress can also be a major trigger when it comes to visceral fat - body fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity and is therefore stored around a number of important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines.

This is the fat associated with increased risks of a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes.

Taking time out to relax will help shift this fat while a good night’s sleep is also essential.

Grab an early night

If we don’t get enough shuteye then our metabolism slows down to conserve energy.

The slowdown then triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which increases appetite and ultimately increases your calorie intake.

A study in Finland looked at sets of identical twins and discovered that in each set of siblings, the twin who slept less and was under more stress had more visceral fat.

Make time in the morning

We are always told breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is when you are trying to get fit and stay fit.  Eating breakfast kickstarts your metabolism and the heartier the meal the better.

Research shows that people who skip breakfast are four and a half times more likely to be obese.

A further study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that volunteers who consumed 22 to 55 per cent of their total calories at breakfast gained only 1.7 pounds on average over 4 years. Those who consumed zero to 11 per cent gained nearly 3 pounds.

Grab that coffee

Caffeine not only wakes us up, it also acts a stimulant to the metabolism, boosting it by 5 to 8 per cent which can equate to burning between 98 and 174 calories.

But when we say coffee, we’re not talking about a calorie laden special from your local coffee shop; we’re talking a black or white single shot.

Go organic

Researchers say eating organic foods can not only make you healthier but also live longer.

Fruit and artificial fertilisers have been shown to have significantly more key nutrients, including vitamin C, which can extend average lifespans typically by 25 days for men and 17 days for women.

Organic produce also has higher levels of compounds, which encourage the body to burn fat.

Canadian researchers found that dieters who ate regular fruit and vegetables had more pollutants from pesticides (organochlorines), which are stored in fat cells.

When they then dieted they experienced a greater-than-normal dip in their metabolism, making it harder to lose pounds.

Swap your three balanced meals for six smaller ones

By opting for six smaller meals instead of three main meals your body will be constantly supplied with all the nutrients it needs to look after itself and burn fat.

This means your resting metabolic rate increases and your body will be prevented from kicking into "starvation" mode. This is where your body starts burning muscle for energy, increasing your body-fat stores and slowing down your metabolism.

Stand up to fat

Periods of inactivity, of four hours or more, can cause a near shut- down of an enzyme that controls fat and cholesterol metabolism, according to Missouri University researchers.

So make sure you keep active, even while you work. It’s easy to get carried away working at your desk so set your alarm for regular intervals and even if you just walk around the office, or stand up and walk on the spot while talking on the phone, this will stop you going into standby mode.

Spice things up

Capsicum, the compound that gives chillies their heat, is great for firing up your metabolism, so make sure you keep a pack or even a jar of ready chopped chilli to hand so you can add to just about everything you cook.

Don’t get stuck in a rut

It’s easy to get stuck in a food routine, especially when dieting. You are so focussed on calorie intake that your body can start interfering too.

If you stick to the same number of calories on a daily basis your body will adjust by lowering its metabolic rate to prevent you from burning off too much body fat.

By varying your calorie intake every few days you will keep the starvation mechanism in check and continue to burn fat.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/fat-burning-commandments-abide-090000575.html

Ten ways to boost your health

When it comes to good health, there’s no big secret. Here are 10 things you can do today to improve your health.

1. Check your weight

Nearly three in 10 women and four in 10 men in England are overweight. Obesity causes 9,000 premature deaths every year and, on average, reduces life expectancy by nine years. Use ourBMI calculator to find out if you’re a healthy weight or whether you're at risk of serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. If you need to bring your weight down, you’ll find everything you need to know in ourlose weight and health and fitness sections or you could try our12-week weight loss guide.

2. Drink less

Most people are unaware that regularly drinking more alcohol than is advised by the NHS can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems, including cancers, strokes, and heart attacks. For example, men who regularly drink more than three to four units a day are three times more likely to have a stroke. Visit ourdrinking and alcohol section to calculate your drinking levels, read about the health risks of drinking too much, and find out where you can get help.

3. Eat less salt and fat

Excessive salt and fat in our diets is a major cause of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Too much salt in your food can cause high blood pressure and make you three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Two thirds of Britons have too much saturated fat in their diets, putting them at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Get tips on cutting your fat and salt intake in lower your cholesterol and say no to salt.

4. Exercise regularly

The benefits of exercise aren't limited to losing weight. Even if you’re slim, you’ll still get health benefits from exercising. Even a small amount of regular activity can lower the risk of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, by up to 50%. Regular exercise can cut the risk of premature death by 20-30%. You’ll find plenty of fun and practical ideas to help you get moving in our health and fitnesssection.

5. Eat more fruit and veg

For a healthy and balanced diet, try to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Research shows that eating at least 400g of fruit and vegetables a day can lower your risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Whether you're cooking for a family, eating on the run, or on a tight budget, our tips and recipes can help you get your 5 A DAY.

6. Keep stress in check

In 2010/11 around 400,000 people in the UK reported work-related stress at a level they believed was making them ill. Psychological problems, including stress, are the underlying reason for one in five visits to a GP. If left unchecked, stress can lead to further health problems such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Learn to manage stress better with ourtop 10 stress busters, advice on good time management, andrelaxation tips.

7. Improve your sleep

Nearly everyone has problems sleeping at some point in their life. It's thought that a third of people in the UK have bouts of insomnia. Most healthy adults sleep for an average of seven to nine hours a night. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can affect relationships, your performance at work, and it can delay recovery from illness. Good sleep starts with a good bedtime ritual and some simple lifestyle changes.

8. Quit smoking

The health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. After 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse return to normal. After 24 hours, your lungs start to clear. After three days you can breathe more easily, and your energy increases. Keep it up and you’re adding years to your life. Research shows that people who quit smoking by the age of 30 add 10 years to their life. For help with quitting, including what your GP can do and nicotine replacement therapies, visit stop smoking.

9. Get a sexual health test 

Many people don’t notice any symptoms when they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If left untreated, chlamydia can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they’ve got an infection, so it’s important to get a check-up if you’ve ever had unprotected sex. Getting tested and treated for STIs is easier than you think, and most infections can be cured. 

10. Check that lump

One in three people in England is diagnosed with cancer at some time in their life. Cancer usually affects older people, but it can occur at any age. Detecting most cancers early means that treatment is more likely to be successful. Sometimes, noticing a small change, like a lump, changes to a mole, or unexplained weight loss, can make a big difference to your health

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/healthy-living/Pages/Ten-ways-to-boost-your-health.aspx

5 fat burning mistakes you’re making

Fat burning foods and fat burning exercises

If you want to burn fat you need to make sure you’re not making any of these mistakes. As well as showing you what you’ve been doing wrong, we also show you the best fat burning foods to eat and the best fat burning exercises you should be doing. So, let the fat burning commence:

You’re not tweeting

If you haven’t taken part in the social revolution and don’t have a clue what a hashtag is, you’re making a fat burning mistake. According to scientists at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health, Twitter can help us all shed pounds.

The lead researcher from the study, Brie Turner-McGrievy, said that: "The results show that those who regularly utilised Twitter as part of a mobile weight loss program lost more weight”.

The study, which was published in Translational Behavioural Medicine, found that those participants that were already on a weight loss programme and who used Twitter to receive informational and emotional support, lost more than those participants that did not use Twitter. In fact, for every 10 health related tweets sent the participants on average lost 0.5 per cent more weight.

You’re not eating whole grain foods

If you’re avoiding eating foods like pasta and bread because you think it will prevent you from losing weight, you’re making a fat burning mistake. According to the Whole Grains Council, eating whole grain foods (such as bread and pasta made using whole wheat) can not only help you to reduce your risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but they can also help you to lose weight.

A study published in the Public Health Nutrition found that of 119,829 participants those that ate more whole grains per day (at least three servings) had lower BMIs and less abdominal fat than those participants who ate less than three servings of whole grain foods per day. Similarly, researchers from the University of Rhode Island published a study in the Journal of The American Dietetic Association that found that eating whole grain foods encouraged weight loss in the 180 overweight adult participants.

To try to lose weight and burn fat you could add the following whole grain foods to your diet: brown rice, whole rye, quinoa, wild rice, whole grain cereals, as well as pasta and bread made from 100 per cent whole-wheat flour.

You’re not visualising

Resistance training is a great form of exercise if you want to lose weight and tone up because it gives our metabolisms a boost. Resistance training also helps us to build lean muscle, which is important because it is thought that for every pound of muscle you have, you burn around six and half calories per hour.

Yet, just because you’re doing resistance training doesn’t mean you’re getting the maximum fat burn possible. To make the most of your workout you need to work hard, because the harder you exercise the more calories you burn.

According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research one way you can ensure you lift more and work hard is to visualise doing the reps before you actually do them. So, for example if you are planning to deadlift, you should rehearse the lift in your mind. Why? Well, according to the researchers visualising reps in this manner can increase your strength by an average of five per cent. Therefore this simple trick can help you lift more and burn more calories. Make sure you always progress safely and never lift weights that will cause you to sacrifice your technique or cause injury.

You’re drinking from the wrong cup

If you want to lose weight you have to consume less calories. One great trick that will help you to consume less is trying to cut down on the amount of calorific drinks you have. An easy way to do this is to try swapping the cup you drink from.  

Researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the University of Oxford found that participants who drank from an orange or cream cup enjoyed the hot-chocolate drink more than those who drank the same drink from a red or white coloured cup. So, try drinking your calorific drinks from an orange or cream cup in the future as this will hopefully make you feel more satisfied and therefore you’ll consume fewer calories.

Ideally, you should swap the high-fat hot drinks you have for green tea. TheAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published a study that found that drinking four cups of the green stuff each and every day helped people to lose six pounds in just two months.

You’re doing the wrong exercises  

Not doing the right kind of fat burning exercises is one of the biggest fat burning mistakes you can make.

So, what training should you be doing? Well, compound exercises (exercises that work more than one muscle at once) are fantastic at encouraging weight loss. This is because compound exercises work larger muscle groups simultaneously, which leads to higher overall calorie expenditure. Similarly, compound exercises tend to form part of a high-intensity workout. This type of workout also leads to an increase in calorie expenditure.

Some great compound exercises include: squats, deadlifts, bench press, pull-ups and the compound row. 

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/5-fat-burning-mistakes-you-re-making/

Banish belly fat in 3 easy steps

How to get a flat belly and lose weight

More than any other part of the body, belly fat is especially dangerous. It can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain cancers, and other life-threatening illnesses.  Also, a recent study states that belly fat creates more fat.  So, how can we banish belly fat? Follow these tips:

Fat: the key facts

Not all fat is the same and we store it in two ways:  Just under the skin (subcutaneous) & deeper inside around the vital organs (visceral fat).  While the main role of visceral fat is to cushion the organs, it releases inflammatory compounds that can lead to an array of health risks as noted.  What we know is where your body stores fat depends on your genes, lifestyle factors (stress, sleep, etc.), age and sex.  For instance, men under 40 have a higher proportion of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat than women.  Women store more visceral fat after menopause.  Even thin people can store visceral fat when they have an inactive lifestyle.

There are three key areas you need to address if you're going to decrease excess belly fat:

Exercise 

For most healthy adults, it is recommended that we have at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity – brisk walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity such as jogging.  Additionally, strength training is recommended at least twice per week.  But, it should be noted that in a Duke University study, resistance training (including ab crunches) alone reduced only subcutaneous fat, and vigorous aerobic activity (four times per week) reduced both subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat stores.

Diet

We all know how to eat healthily, but be aware of hidden sugars that pack on the pounds over time.  Sugar is the number one enemy in our fight against belly fat.  There is hidden sugar in a wide range of every day (supposedly nutritious foods) such as orange juice, whole wheat bread and cereals, and yes, wine too. 

You should also remember that carbohydrates are not created equal – try eating more fruit and veggies versus breads, pasta and crackers. 

Also, bear in mind that there are good fats and bad fats  and that the right kind of fats will actually help you to burn fat.  Stay away from hydrogenated oils, canola and vegetable oils, margarine, and fake butter products.  Instead, eat “real” butter, eggs, nuts, olive oil. Ideally aim to eat all natural and unprocessed food, which is easier for the body and liver to break down.  But, most importantly, keep portion sizes in check since calories can add u quickly and without you realising. 

Sleep

Surprisingly too little or too much sleep can have an effect on visceral fat stores.  In a study people who slept for five hours or less, or eight hours or more per night ended up gaining more visceral fat than those who slept between six and seven hours per night. So, if you want to blast that belly fat get some early nights.

One thing to keep in mind, when trying to lose excess fat and keep it from coming back, focus on slow and consistent weight loss – no more than two pounds per week is recommended. 

Daily effort and consistency will trigger positive results when trying to lose excess fat. It is not an easy road, but it will pay off in a lifetime of health. 

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/banish-belly-fat-in-3-easy-steps/

9 Health Mistakes Women Don’t Realise They’re Making

Attention ladies; even if you think you’re a fitness and diet guru, we guarantee you’ll be making some of these health mistakes without even realising it.

Cut out these bad habits and you’ll be healthier before you know it.

Unhealthy friends?

Having unhealthy friends

Who you’re friends with can have a big influence on your health without you even realising.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared obesity to a virus. When your friends gain weight, you’re more likely to gain weight yourself.

That doesn’t mean you need to ditch your friends as soon as they put on a couple of pounds – study author Dr Nicholas Christakis suggests instead taking cues from your healthier friends.

Only relying on cardio

“I can’t work out with weights because I don’t want to bulk up!” you proclaim as you follow the familiar route to the treadmill for the thousandth time. But is there any truth behind this popular excuse?

In short, no.

Far from bulking you up, building muscle will help you to shed the pounds. Experts estimate that for every pound of muscle you gain, you’ll burn an extra seven -13 calories per day.

Any fears you have of looking like She Hulk can be put to bed. Because of lower levels of testosterone, women don’t bulk up anywhere near as quickly as men.

Overusing social media

We all enjoy a sneaky Facebook stalk every once in a while, but do it too often and you could become depressed, according to researchers in Germany.

They found that overuse of Facebook can pose a serious risk to our mental wellbeing.

Checking out other people’s holiday photos was the major culprit, with one in three study participants reporting that this made them feel depressed or lonely.

Twitter is no better, with a University of Vermont study finding that Twitter users gradually become more stressed and unhappy the more they use the site.

Relying on diet products

When your sweet tooth is crying out for sugar, it can be tempting to turn to sugar-free diet options. Sadly these substitute snacks aren’t as guilt-free as you’ve been led to believe.

In place of sugar, manufacturers will often use nasty artificial alternatives to provide that sweet taste.

Aspartame, commonly found in diet drinks, was found to increase your risk of obesity by 41 per cent in a University of Texas Health Science Centre study.

Psychologists in a separate study at Cornell University observed that phrases like ‘sugar-free’ can subconsciously trigger overeating. In some cases, this meant people ate twice as many calories as they would have done if they opted for the full-sugar version.Don't become fixated on your abs (REX)

Focusing on stomach toning

All too often we become fixated on trying to develop a rock hard stomach by performing endless crunches. If this sounds like you, you’re wasting your time.

Want to know just how useless crunches are? A Men’s Health study found that you’d have to do a staggering 22,000 of them to lose just a pound of fat off your stomach.

If you want to lose weight, focus on high intensity interval training instead.

HIIT increases your metabolic rate for up to 24 hours after you exercise, and boosts fat oxidation.

Wearing high heels too often

Who can resist a pair of killer hills for accentuated legs and an instant confidence boost?

Wear them too frequently however, and your feet won’t be thanking you.

Wearing four-inch heels increases the pressure on your feet by around 30 per cent, leading to damaged tendons, reduced circulation and bone and nerve deterioration.Swap heels for flats occasionally and your feet will thank you (AP)

Not getting enough calcium

A recent survey conducted by Creighton University Medical Centre showed that 85% of women don’t get enough calcium per day, which leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

It’s recommended that women between the ages 19 to 50 need a daily calcium intake of 1,000mg.

Topping up on calcium is easy with dairy products like milk and natural yoghurt. If dairy doesn’t agree with you, you’ll also find high levels of calcium in fish such as salmon and sardines and even leafy veg.

Using electronics before bed

That one last game of Candy Crush you squeeze in before you hit the hay could be ruining your sleep pattern, if researchers in Sweden are to be believed.

They observed that people who use mobile phones or tablets directly before going to sleep found it harder to doze off, causing lasting health issues.

As well as displaying signs of insomnia, these pre-sleep tech-addicts suffered from headaches throughout the day.

Eating what your date eats

Next time you’re on a hot date, psychologists suggest you need to spend more time checking what’s on your plate than staring into your partner’s eyes.

University of Birmingham researchers have discovered a link between new relationships and weight gain, particularly in women.

According to their findings, when dining with a new partner you subconsciously mirror their portion sizes, which can lead to weight gain if they eat more than you’re used to.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-health-mistakes-women-don-t-realise-making-090000295.html

Fat chance of being slim

• 
  

There’s a new Krispy Kreme milkshake which contains the same calories as a (modest) Sunday roast. 

There’s a reason why treats are called treats – because they’re not designed to be consumed every day.

And Krispy Kreme Doughnuts certainly fall into this bracket. Not only have their wares become the go-to treat for office leaving-dos (weighing in at as much as 474 calories, for a Chocolate Praline Fudge Cake one), but Krispy Kreme are now also subjecting us to a range of milkshakes, containing as many as 612 calories each.

This is apparently the same as a whole Sunday roast of chicken, veg and potatoes (although this obviously depends on how high you pile up your plate, and whether you add stuffing and Yorkshire puds to proceedings).

So yes, we all know the maths – calories in = calories out (with exercise), or you’re in danger of piling on the pounds.

But with a Kripy Kreme lurking on every corner, and these other calorie-groaning treats out to tempt us, what hope do our waistlines have?

:: CHEESEBURGER PIZZA

Currently available to order for home delivery from Pizza Hut, is the calorie-crammed Meat Machine Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza, with 10 beef burgers, crispy bacon and, of course, mozzarella cheese, all stuffed into the crust. It has 332 calories per slice and with 10 slices, that’s 3,320 for the whole pizza – or 700 calories more than a man’s recommended daily intake in just one meal.

:: DEEP-FRIED MARS BAR

The stuff of myth and legend, this delicacy originated in Scotland, where a couple called the Watsons started selling it at their Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, back in 1992. With 1,200 calories, compared to just 260 in a regular Mars Bar, it attracted the attention of Mars’ lawyers, who asked the Watsons to tell customers they didn’t condone the deep-frying, as it counteracted their ‘healthy’ branding message.

:: DOUGHNUT BURGERS

The newest addition to the menu at Paige’s Pig-Casso Cafe in Folkestone split opinions when it was launched in June – local punters loved it, obesity experts hated it. This Canadian invention is a bacon-topped cheeseburger, wedged between a doughnut and, at 2,000 calories, it makes a McDonald’s Big Mac (490 cals) sound like the healthy alternative.

:: STARBUCKS HOT CHOCOLATE

Whereas lattes are often seen to be the baddie of the hot drinks world, with 299 calories for a Starbucks Venti with whole milk, it’s the Venti Signature Hot Chocolate, with whipped cream, that’s the true demon – it’ll blow a 690-calorie-sized hole in your recommended daily allowance. Ouch!

:: MUFFINS

When these first became a thing, who didn’t think they were actually a health food? Now, we all know though, that’s not quite the case… A Pret Double Berry Muffin (so far, so super-foody sounding), has a whopping 498 calories. So that’s your lunch right there.

:: CHEESE SANDWICH

Not so much a treat as an everyday staple, the humble cheese and pickle sarnie surely can’t be too calorie-laden? Well, it obviously depends how much of a doorstop of bread you cut yourself and how much cheese you pop in, but take the quite-healthily-looking chain Eat’s Cheese & Pickle Sandwich as a guide, which is 566 calories for 100g.

:: PEANUT BUTTER

Packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it may be, but peanut butter is also laden with calories, as it contains 598 per 100g, which is about six tablespoons of the stuff. You may not spread that much on toast in one go, but you get the point… (And let’s not even think about Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…).

http://www.silversurfers.com/health/diet-exercise/fat-chance-slim/