Public Health experts have developed a 400-600-600 weight loss rule had been backed by Dr Michael Mosley. The method sees people stick to 400 calories breakfasts, then 600 calories lunches and dinners.
Health experts say adults consume around 200 to 300 more calories than they need each day. Over time, these extra calories can cause unhealthy weight gain.
Excess calories are contributing to a growing obesity crisis in Britain - leading to a range of health issues including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Treating obesity costs the NHS around £6bn.
Read more: Weight loss guru Dr Michael Mosley says to avoid three foods to speed up fat burning
Public Health England (PHE) says adults consume around a quarter of their calories from eating out - for example grabbing a supermarket meal deal for lunch. But a meal deal of a sandwich, sugary soft drink and a packet of crisps can contain around 800 calories.
The recommended daily intake for calories is 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men. But TV presenter and diet expert Dr Michael Mosley says that to keep weight off long term, most people need to consume 200 to 300 calories less than these current UK Government guidelines.
To help do so, he has backed a PHE campaign aimed at making people more aware of their calorie intake. The campaign provides adults with a simple tip to help them make healthier choices while out and about – aim for 400-600-600.
What is the 400-600-600 weight loss rule?
The rule means people should aim to consume 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for their evening meal. This adds up to only 1,600 calories a day - and it applies to men and women.
PHE says that you could also add ‘a couple of healthier snacks and drinks in-between’.
When launching the campaign, Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: “It’s clear that excess calories are driving weight gain for many. Busy lives and too much food mean we’re often eating more food than we realise – especially when we’re grabbing food out and about.
“This can have a significant impact on our waistlines and our health. The 400-600-600 tip can help people make healthier choices when eating and drinking on the go.”
What do you think of dieting rules? Do they work? Have your say in the comments below.
Dr Michael Mosley on the 400-600-600 rule
Dr Mosley backed the campaign in an article on Mail Online - writing that ‘with most of us overeating by around 300 calories a day, aiming for 400-600-600 could reduce rising rates of obesity.”
But, he added, counting calories is not the only factor. There are other ‘golden rules’ for keeping to a healthy weight.
Dr Michael Mosley’s ‘Golden Rules’ for weight loss
Clear junk food out of your cupboards and fridge. Replace it with healthy food instead.
Keep score. It could be getting on the scales regularly, or wearing a tight-ish belt or snug-fitting clothes - so you have a way of seeing if your weight is creeping up.
Get more active. Around 30 minutes exercise on most days would do - brisk walking or running plus some resistance work like squats or press-ups.
Build a support network. Get families and friends on board with your new regime - or even find a local slimming club.
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