To eat a packet of biscuits a day?

[Havett]

I’m not fat, probably slightly underweight. I eat lots of fruit and veg and a healthy ish diet. I just can’t cut out biscuits or chocolate! I often eat a packet a day and then a Mars bar or bit of chocolate too. How bad is this? I’m late 30s

If you're underweight despite consuming that many calories from biscuits and a Mars bar, unless you're extremely active, I don't think its possible you're consuming enough nutritious food to stay healthy long term. You're young so getting away with it now, but you'd be wise to give an eye to your health in the future because you could well be lacking in vital nutrients that will give you a better chance of a healthy older age.

Don’t assume if you’re slim that you’re healthy. Get your cholesterol checked etc.

If you're underweight despite consuming that many calories from biscuits and a Mars bar, unless you're extremely active, I don't think its possible you're consuming enough nutritious food to stay healthy long term.

This is exactly what I’m thinking. It’s not a plus that OP is underweight. It’s a cause for concern as is the excessive sugar consumption.

Even though I was fairly slim during the years when I ate lots of cake biscuits, chocolate and the rest, I was never underweight as I always ate 3 decent meals in addition to that.

I managed to stay slim through walking 15-20K steps as part of my commute and going to the gym off and on. But even then I was never near being underweight except I came close during a short period of stress.

Depending on your height consuming a packet of biscuits will be a big chunk of your calorie allowance so I can’t imagine you are
eating much aside from that if you’re underweight? Unless you’re eating salads and soup all day?

And obviously, being underweight is a problem in itself. Especially as you
get older.

That sounds neurotic to me. Too regimented. What if I don't feel like sweets on a Saturday but I do on a Wednesday? (I like sweets most days, but there are days when I don't fancy them) I also think that sort of regimentation can lead to binge eating.

I was thinking every day would be a 'special day' if I deemed it to be 😋

Mmmm... Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, cardiovascular disease, future ramifications of all of the above... Something to look forward to.

I don’t think it’s meant to be taken that seriously! If someone decided that their Saturday was going to be on a Wednesday that would be within the spirit of it. The thing is it’s normal human behaviour to feast sometimes as part of our cultural and social traditions and this is saying that’s ok within a context of a normally moderate diet, just like it’s probably a good idea to eat what you fancy if you are under the weather.

I am a bit sceptical of ‘restriction can lead to binge eating’ claims. It is obviously the case when exercising severe restriction but not eating sweets during the week isn’t that. I am not suggesting this is you but I have heard it several times from people who are justifying not exercising any restraint at all over what they or their children eat, often while doing what looks like it is already binge eating.

Nairn do reduced sugar biscuits and they're really nice, inside they're in packets. I think they'd be a good way to start cutting down.

I don't think OP's really interested in 'how bad it is' as she has not been back.
I think she posted for kicks.

At your age people start over snacking because they can't process protein as efficiently so get hungry. Try more yoghurt, nuts, meat instead.

Sheer gluttony that will probably catch up with you one day.

Dentist here!
Not a single mention about decay and dental health. Her teeth will be severely affected

It happens a lot on MN.
I always check how engaged an OP has been before I get involved in a discussion.

Me too!

Wellies obviously not good for your body is it. Internal fat, insulin spikes etc

That is just greedy. Think back to when you were a kid. Can you imagine what your Mum would have said if you had asked for more and more biscuits until the pack was finished? I bet this started when you left home and realised that you could do whatever you wanted, it’s intoxicating. But that phase usually passes by the age of about 22. You need to grow up.

I don’t think it’s necessarily suspicious. If she wanted an answer she got a pretty clear one, so she might feel there’s nothing to discuss.
Though it is better manners to take the time to thank people who have responded.

Look into ultra processed foods and how bad they are for you. Its put me off biscuits. Sadly.

It’s undoubtedly causing huge blood sugar spikes which can have long term consequences. Plus UPF are just bad for you, not to mention the impact on your teeth.

Have you read Ultra Processed People by Chris van Tulleken? Massive eye opener. Really made me think about what I eat.

Yes, the poster might be genuine, but often I think they've just posted something controversial or something that will get people riled up and then sits back to watch.

Yes that certainly does happen.