TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Many people complain about changes in their mental and physical health during the pandemic. While staying home, they claim to have an increasing desire to eat or have snacks, leading to weight gain.

A healthy lifedata-style observer, Grace Julio, said people can actually maintain the body weight and health through daily diet. However, it needs to be understood that food is not a cure for stress. Turning to foods for comfort or as stress relief may cause health issues, such as a craving for more carbs, or known as carbohydrate addiction.

“Another issue is a calorie surplus, a condition when the amount of calories intake is higher than the number of calories we burn. In women, calories accumulate in the chest, arms, hips, and legs,” said Grace in an Instagram Live of Susan Bachtiar on Friday, September 25, 2020.

Grace suggests people choose what is good to consume and what is better to avoid. For example, if a woman needs 1600-1800 calories per day, she should stick to the number in order to maintain body weight.

“One piece of fried tempeh consists of 200 calories, while two cups of steamed broccoli have 25 calories. You can still eat tempeh but practice a balanced diet and exercise to release excess calories,” Grace underlined.

Additionally, it is necessary to count calories so that the amount of calorie intake and the calorie burn will be balanced. “We need to pay attention to the high calories in sugar, flour, and oil. These should be concerned as daily consumption,” she added.

Other than choosing food based on needs, exercising remains fundamental. “Some prefer to workout at home, some are looking for a quiet place for outdoor sports,” she concluded.

Read: 4 Diet Mistakes and Tips to Lose Weight in Healthy Ways

EKA WAHYU PRAMITA