Weight Gain: The Unwanted Souvenir Of Rwc 2011

Media Release

18 October 2011

Weight Gain: The Unwanted Souvenir Of Rwc 2011

Cold beers, hot chips and meat pies have become part of many Kiwis' rugby viewing rituals, and it will take a lot more than cheering from the sidelines for New Zealanders to burn them off.

While the boys in black exhaust excess energy tearing up the field, Kiwi rugby fans indulging in half-time snack breaks and post-match drinks may discover the kilos have crept on across the course of the tournament.

Jenny Craig Consultant Natalie Russell, who helped former All Black Buck Shelford lose 20 kilos to return to the same weight he was as All Blacks captain in the 1980s, says many match snacks are filled with empty kilojoules that can lead to weight gain.

"Whether you're enjoying the 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament at the game, one of the fan zones, a sports bar or at home with family and friends, it's likely there will be an abundance of snack food and refreshments on offer to tempt you," says Natalie.

"Treat food can fit in with a healthy and balanced lifestyle in moderation, but if you overindulge in snack foods, it's likely you'll notice a difference in the way you look and feel."

"If your game night routine includes a few beers, a steak and cheese pie and a chocolate bar, then you can expect to consume a whopping 4,000 kilojoules in one sitting."

The table below demonstrates the kilojoules found in typical game snack food, and the amount of time it would take to burn off the energy playing rugby based on a 75kg person.

Food Item

Kilojoules (kJ)

Minutes of Playing Rugby

Hot Chips (150g)

1880

36 minutes

Steak & Cheese Pie (170g)

1635

32 minutes

Chocolate Bar (58g)

1087

21 minutes

Ready Salted Potato Chips (40g)

895

18 minutes

Can of Beer (330ml)

580

11 minutes

To help New Zealanders make smarter choices for the remainder of the tournament and beyond, Natalie has compiled the list of useful tips below.

* When heading out to watch the game, make sure you don't arrive hungry. Having a glass (or two) of water beforehand will also help prevent you from overindulging.

* Offer to be the designated driver so you can avoid high-kilojoule alcoholic drinks. Your mates and your waistline will thank you for it!

* If you are heading to a friend's house to watch the game, bring a healthy plate of snacks for everyone to enjoy. A colourful plate of vegetable finger food, salsa and low-fat crackers will be a real crowd pleaser.

* When ordering food at the snack bar, restaurant or pub, offer to share a meal or snack to reduce your kilojoule intake. If you really can't resist ordering those hot chips, make sure you pass them around the group.

* Focus on the social aspects of the game, rather than food and alcohol. Catch up with friends, meet new people, cheer on your team and enjoy the spirit of the tournament in non-food ways.

* Partake in rugby fever by setting up a game of touch rugby with your family and friends the day of a match. Get moving and experience the fun of the game while burning energy and improving your fitness.

The Jenny Craig program provides one-on-one coaching sessions with an expert Jenny Craig consultant to ensure New Zealanders never have to go at it alone in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

The Jen4Men program is tailored to give men the skills and support they need to be able to lose weight and keep it off for good, without sacrificing the food that guys love.

For further information on Jenny Craig, Jen4Men and advice on weight management, visit www.jennycraig.co.nz or phone 0800 502 302.

ENDS

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