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Watch your waistline

Eating out has become part of one's lifestyle. Hence adopting a daily exercise routine is necessary to avoid obesity

PHOTO: SHAJU JOHN

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT With today's fast-paced lifestyles, eating out is no longer reserved for special occasions

The desire for a hot body is universal. Tubbiness and laughing Buddha bellies, viewed as appealing signs of upper-class prosperity a few years ago, are as in as 40 flares. Youngsters today are ready to sweat it out for that knockout figure. The middle-aged have begun to make a beeline to the gyms. Increasingly, people prefer a low-fat diet. All this is not just to look good but also to feel great.

But there's a big but. Eating out has become a lifestyle trend. There was a time not long ago when a visit to a restaurant was reserved only for special occasions. Not any more. Double income households where the couple put in long hours of work means very little time to shop and cook. The eateries mushrooming all over the city are ample evidence of this trend. These joints also double as discussion rooms or meeting places.

Loaded with calories

However, the food served in restaurants is invariably loaded with calories. Even salads are notorious for their fat-laden ingredients like mayonnaise and cheese. Besides, how does one fight temptation when food is served so attractively? Despite their best resolutions, many go bananas the moment they lay their hands on the menu. A.P. Prabath, senior officer in a tea company who is a fit 40-something, says: "Eating out has become part of one's lifestyle now. I eat out at least twice a week with family or colleagues. But as I play badminton and walk briskly every day, I can order my favourite dishes at restaurants and still remain trim. However, I am cautious if I have to eat out more than twice a week."

Eating out has become unavoidable for many corporate executives what with all those luncheon or dinner meetings. A.V. Joseph, a shipping manager, also in his 40s and managing to remain fit, says: "One needs a lot of will power not to be seduced by the exotic items on the menu. Buffet meals with unlimited servings also tempt one to gorge. In the beginning of my career, I used to enjoy eating out, but not so much now as it has become too frequent. I manage by limiting the helpings on my plate. I keep my intake of carbohydrates to the minimum. To avoid overindulgence, I eat fruits and salads before leaving home. I tried skipping a meal before dining out, but this makes you eat more. If alcohol is served, I avoid it, as liquor before dinner can increase your appetite sharply. I also never miss my daily walk which helps me keep my weight in check."

There is a feeling that we think too much about food. "There is a lot of interest in food today. People always discuss and compare various cafes and hotels. That doesn't mean we are all gluttons. There is nothing wrong in eating out as it is a form of relaxation. It bonds families and gives women much-needed respite from kitchen work. Besides, who doesn't love eating out and trying out new cuisines? Yoga, which I practise regularly, keeps my weight in check. Thus I order my favourite dishes when eating out. Desserts are my weakness," says Prabha Vasanth, Shomemaker.

The problem in is not eating too much but rather the lack of exercise. Neethu Jos, a dietician, has some valuable advice, "Exercise is the main option to get rid of extra calories. Eating out occasionally is okay. But one has to be on guard if it becomes frequent. Many people don't find time to exercise. So, if you have had a rich lunch at a party or a restaurant, you have to go for an evening stroll and eat only a light dinner. And, if you are invited for dinner, fill your stomach partially with fruits and fresh salads before leaving home to avoid overeating."

The message is clear. A sedentary lifestyle and frequent binges at restaurants are the reasons for expanding waistlines. Man was genetically wired to hunt and climb trees for food. The movement involved in this exercise sharpened his reflexes and improved his physique and cardiovascular fitness. Potbellies were thus non-existent among our ancestors who, spear in hand, stalked their prey. Obesity is the unhealthy outcome of a modern lifestyle in which there is less activity and where one eats more than what is required.

The sense of taste is vital. Eating out is therefore one of the joys of life. With the exception of yogis and ascetics, man feels incomplete if his taste buds are not satiated. So have your cake and eat it too; but keep your body trim with regular exercise.

HEMJIT BHARATHAN

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