Someone emailed and asked me for some clarification on what exactly COVID-15 is. Could it be another strain of the virus? Well, the term is just a figure of speech invented by health and fitness experts on the added weight brought about by the COVID lockdown.
Most of us had been staying home to be safe from infection then sooner or later, boredom and the general feeling of stagnation set in. In our comfort zones, we all have unlimited access to our kitchen and food pantries resulting in mindless snacking, sometimes finding several reasons for midnight raids to the fridge. Yep, COVID-15 sets in, translated to 15 pounds more.
Most of us had surely escaped COVID-19 but not COVID-15, the quarantine weight gain. With all the down time we had and wearing loose-fitting house clothes, we experimented in the kitchen, learned how to bake with delicious results.
Retail shops could have suffered but online sales have risen because what used to be medium-sized had become large. Returns as well spiked because we thought that what used to fit us perfectly is now tighter than skin tight.
Mindless eating comes with boredom and stress, and dieticians have tips for us to combat COVID-15.
Snacking keeps our hunger under control, but they said we must not be too hungry as we tend to overeat on unhealthy and high calorie snacks.
All-time favorite chips and bite-sized chocolates are a no-no. And if we can’t really resist the temptation, it was suggested to read the labels for serving size and stick to one serving then follow it up with a glass of water. To keep our minds off food, we should read a book, talk to friends on the telephone or go out for a walk. Watching TV tempts us on snacking, especially if we’re binge watching.
Consistency is the key. We don’t have to change our meal times because our routines had changed as it can lead to overeating. We all know the benefits of vegetables and it was advised that at least 50 percent of the food on our plates consist of veggies./PN
