Go on - treat yourself!
A treat is not the enemy of a healthy diet — but it works best as the exception, not the rule. The foods you eat on a typical Tuesday have far more bearing on your health than the cake you had at Saturday's birthday party. When your everyday eating is built around nourishing, satisfying food, occasional treats fit in perfectly well. The problems arise when the treats gradually become the defaults. This post is about finding that line — and making the most of the right side of it.
What is a balanced diet, anyway..?
If you’ve ever stood in a supermarket aisle feeling vaguely guilty about what’s in your trolley, or gone down a rabbit hole of contradictory nutrition advice online and emerged more confused than when you started — this post is for you.
“Eat a balanced diet” is one of those phrases that’s everywhere and means almost nothing on its own. Balanced how? Balanced compared to what? And does it have to involve giving up everything you enjoy?
The short answer: no, it doesn’t. The longer answer is actually more interesting — and a lot more reassuring — than most nutrition coverage would have you believe.