What you’re really eating… exposed by The Food Analysts

New human-powered calorie counting service, The Food Analysts reveals exactly what you’re putting into your body - from the traditional and much-loved ‘cheat meals’ to the generally-accepted ‘healthy’ food options - and the findings are not what you’d expect!

Weighing up whether to treat yourself to a tasty take-away or stick to a meal choice that most perceive as being healthier and less calorific?  You may want to reconsider what is actually the best option for you.

Headed up by founder and owner, Veer Ramlugon, The Food Analysts is a newly-launched personalised WhatsApp service headquartered in Dubai, that has a team of experts tracking meals on your behalf.  Within moments of you sending them a photograph and short description of your meal, the team of trained nutritional professionals compile and share a report, as well as a daily summary of your calorie and macronutrient intake.

Says Veer, “It is generally said that the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories for females and 2,500 calories for males, in order to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.  This will vary depending on fitness goals and desired healthy lifestyle, as well as on a number of other factors like age, metabolism and levels of physical activity.  The Food Analysts handles each client on a one-on-one basis to ensure they get the best results and reach their fitness goals.”

Veer says that a big factor in developing the service was because many do not know how food is made up in terms of macronutrients and calories.  They also don’t know how to correctly monitor their daily calorie intake.

The team at The Food Analysts has compared a number of meal options that customers regularly consume.  “The key outcome is the deception of perception” says Veer as the team scrutinises the composition of a variety of ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ meal options.

To cheat meal or not to cheat meal

If you’re feeling cheesy and are in the mood for a slice of mouthwatering pepperoni pizza, you may want to curb your craving.  One slice comprises a staggering 312 calories, and sharing a large pizza with someone (four slices) equates to a whopping 1,248 calories - that’s around half of the general daily recommended calorie intake.  Other favourite ‘cheat meals’ like a hamburger with sauce and trimmings comes in at 696 calories, and adding a portion of fries takes it up to 1026 calories.

“If you’re craving fast food, you’re better off choosing the hamburger option as you’ll get a good mix of macronutrients with a lower carbohydrate intake than the pizza.  It will also keep you fuller for longer,” says Veer.  He recommends choosing a ‘bun-less’ burger which is significantly lower in carbohydrates and comes in at only 453 calories.

Sculpting that summer body

If you’re aiming to strut down the beach this summer, opting for a salad is always a good bet, but “beware the dressing,” warns Veer.  A plain Caesar salad will see just 180 calories consumed, while one with dressing takes it up to more than double: 456 calories with a significant 43.2 grams of fat alone.  “Don’t be fooled by ‘healthier’ options at the shops or on menus, as these are quite often laced with hidden calories and fats.  Always ask for the dressing on the side so you can control how much of it you consume,” he suggests.

Morning caffeine fix on the go

With a coffee shop on just about every corner in Dubai, it is common to grab a cuppa on the way to work or in between meetings - but these beverages contain calories too.

“Drinking your calories is one of the biggest mistakes a person can make.  When we consume something in liquid form, we often don’t grasp the fact that there are calories involved, and more often than not it is a very high amount,” explains Veer.  When ordering a Grande full-fat vanilla latte, a person consumes 250 calories, which is made up of 36 grams of carbohydrates alone.  He recommends choosing a Grande skinny latte which has zero fat, half the amount of carbohydrates, and half the calories at only 120.

“Unlike a diet plan or weight-loss fad where you omit whole food groups or deprive yourself of some nutrients, The Food Analysts is a sustainable approach to help you live a healthy and balanced lifestyle, especially while you’re on the go,” says Veer.

The service is available from just $6.99 a month, from anywhere in the world.  For more information, visit www.thefoodanalysts.com