N.E.A.T and Nutrition

by Jenny Northern Nutrition

NEAT exercise can have a large impact on hitting your health goals so what is it and what does that term mean?

NEAT means Non Exercise Adaptive Thermogenesis and it is the energy that is used for everything that we do that is not sleeping, or going to the gym. It ranges from energy spent walking to work, typing, gardening, fidgeting, walking the dog, basically anything that gets you moving.

Nowadays we lead relatively sedentary lives where we do not move nearly as much as we used to. While going to the gym is great (of course!) it only contributes a small percentage to your total energy expenditure in a day whereas as NEAT can actually add up to 50% of your energy expenditure. Some people work in a active role where they are moving all the time but most of us tend to be desk bound so trying to get movement into your day becomes really important.

If weight loss is one of your goals moving more throughout the day has the benefit of helping you achieve a calorie deficit, and this contributes to weight loss. If you have hit a weight plateau increasing your NEAT may help here as well. It also gives you a chance to get outside and get a dose of Vitamin D which is important for bone health. Being outside can also help with your circadian rhythm which could lead to a better night’s sleep which then helps you reach your weight loss goals as well as you will have more energy.

So have a think about what your day is like and start planning ways to introduce more NEAT throughout the day. Could be doing a 10 minute walk at lunch or going for a walk after work now that the days are lengthening, or spending more time in the garden or dancing in your lounge, just anything that gets you moving. Talk to Lynne about ideas. If you have a watch or phone that counts steps set a new target and try and reach that.  Steal a dog and walk that. Possibilities are endless!!