Lockdown elevenses mean lots of us now scoff more than 1,400 calories before lunch
LOCKDOWN fry-ups and elevenses are piling on the pounds as we eat a gut-busting 1,406 calories – before we have even had lunch.
In the late 18th century, elevenses was known as a light refreshment with a cup of tea or coffee.
But a study shows 72 per cent reach for biscuits, chocolate and other snacks at 11am and 36 per cent cannot resist crisps.
Some 60 per cent are also enjoying larger breakfasts, with bacon sandwiches, a full English, pancakes and pastries on the list.
The survey by oat bar maker Grenade Reload found 62 per cent had no idea how many daily calories they should be eating.
Experts say it should be 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men.
Asked to estimate calories, most of the 2,000 respondents reckoned a full English – two rashers of bacon, two fried eggs and two sausages plus a slice of buttered toast and beans – came in at 513. In fact it contains about 950.
A bacon and egg sandwich, thought to have 411 calories, actually has around 700. Thirtyfour
per cent said they started the day with the best intentions to be healthy, but struggled to stay motivated. A quarter admitted they had put on weight in the last year since working from home.
People in Belfast, home to the Ulster fry, are most likely to overindulge in the morning, consuming a whopping 1,558 calories before noon.
Next is Leicester at 1,530 calories and London at 1,457.
A spokesman for Grenade Reload said: “With more time on our hands, it is easy to see why many of us are indulging in highcalorie breakfasts.
“Our research also reveals we’re more likely to be reaching for the elevenses and clocking up extra calories than ever before, even before we get to lunchtime.”
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HAVING turned 70 this week, Jane Seymour, pictured, announces in a new video message: “I’m completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from fans and friends... I’m truly moved beyond words.”
Canny Jane swiftly adds she’s marking the occasion with special offers on her artwork, confirming: “Anyone who purchases a piece of art will be entered into a raffle to win a JS [Jane Seymour] Design scarf of their choice!”
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AXED as DoctorWho after two years in 1989, Sylvester McCoy reflects: “The BBC dumped me, but the fans never did.”
Sylvester was on borrowed time as soon as corporation bosses handed the then ailing DoctorWho series the thankless task of going up against ratings giant Coronation Street in theTV schedules.TheTardis wouldn’t return to the BBC for 16 years.
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ONE in three people risks spending their retirement in poverty because they have saved nothing towards a pension, “deeply worrying” figures show.
As many as 15 million people have no private pot for their old age and face having to live on the £153-a-week benefit provided by the state, research has revealed.
It also shows that a growing pension “haves and have-nots” divide has emerged across the nation.
People in the North-east, where 44 per cent of residents have no workplace pension, are the least financially prepared for life after work.
They were followed on the list by the East and West Midlands, both at 34 per cent.
Nottingham (41 per cent), Newcastle (39 per cent) and Liverpool (38 per cent) were found to be the cities with the highest number of people without a pension.
Women (31 per cent) are more likely than men (26 per cent) not to have any retirement savings.
However, people in Scotland (22 per cent) and Northern Ireland (18 per cent) are the least likely to say that they retirement funds.
Experts say the disturbing differences may reflect decades of employment and income trends in various parts of the country – and warn the divide is likely to get worse because of the pandemic.
Becky O’Connor from pension provider Interactive Investor, which commissioned the research, said: “The high proportion of people who say they do not have a pension in this survey is deeply worrying.
“All adults, of any age, do in any not have region and whether man or woman should have a pension. The findings should concern Government and industry as it suggests the problem of poverty in old age will steadily worsen over the coming decades.”
Ms O’Connor warned: “More generous defined benefit pensions will become a thing of the past and today’s army of self-employed people, who are less likely to have a pension, reach a point where they stop work. Even those with defined contribution workplace pensions may find their pot doesn’t generate enough income in retirement.”
Younger adults were shown to be most at risk of oldage poverty.
Thirty-five per cent of 18 to 34-year olds say they are not saving, compared with 31 per cent of 35 to 54-year-olds and 22 per cent of those aged 55 or older.
Ms O’Connor said: “The Government will only have to pick up the bill in the form of higher benefit payments later on if people have nothing of their own to fall back on when they retire.
“Equally, the findings underscore the need for the protection of the state pension through the triple lock.”
Just over half (52 per cent) of people have “at least one” and 17 per cent have “several” pensions, the survey of 2,000 people found.
Three per cent admitted they did not even know if they had one.
The present state pension provides people with an annual income of £9,110. It is payable only after 35 full years of National Insurance contributions.