I received a lot of wonderful feedback on my post a few weeks ago addressing the possibility of eating too clean. Thank you to all who offered your opinions! These responses have prompted me to continue with writing on this philosophy by discussing the value of moderation, and how eating a brownie can be good for your health.
Many times we hear the argument, “but what could that type of food possibly offer me? It doesn’t have any nutritional value!” And, yes, white flour, sugar and all of the delicious ingredients used to make brownies might not be things you think are the healthiest, there are still benefits to occasionally enjoying one.
First and foremost, health encompasses much more than just exercise and food choices. I’m sure that a lot of people standing by the previously mentioned argument may continue with it in saying that mental health doesn’t necessarily need to include food. However, having a healthy relationship with food is certainly an integral part of mental health, and being restrictive with no exceptions is an extreme that condones an unhealthy relationship with food.
Extremes in general often prove to be problematic in most areas of health. An example where this applies includes vitamin and mineral intake. If you’ve ever seen the bell-shaped curve, getting too little results in a deficiency, and too much in toxicity. This bell-shaped curve can also pertain to extremes in general food habits. If there is too much restricting or too much indulgence, it can lead to major health issues, ranging from physical to mental and emotional issues on both ends of the spectrum.
Taking this all into consideration, eating a brownie on occasion can be part of a healthy lifestyle. And I don’t mean a flourless, butter-less, gluten-free, sugar-free, higher protein brownie- I’m talking about the kind you get from Grandma’s house that are gooey, sugary and satisfying.
Food is meant to be enjoyed, and can be a means of bringing people together. In terms of the social implications, not allowing yourself to have ice cream at a birthday party or a piece of cake at a wedding you go to can result in negative issues related to restriction. Not allowing yourself to enjoy foods in moderation can provoke great amounts of stress, and the impact of stress on the body has been studied in great detail. Stress related to food is no different, and can decrease the amount of nutrients you’re absorbing, can lead to other health conditions such as ulcers, and has been shown to potentially even shorten lifespan when experienced regularly.
So instead of stressing yourself out when you’re around treats, allow yourself to have a little bit. Share with a friend while you also share in the joy of being around the table with loved ones. Enjoy those brownies in moderation- and have your veggies, too.
What do you think? Is there room in a healthy diet for totally indulgent sweets like wedding cake, brownies, and homemade full fat ice cream?
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, registered dietitian and millennial mom of two active and hungry boys. Here on Love & Zest, you’ll find (mostly) healthy recipes to fuel the whole family and real life stories of modern motherhood. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
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Great work there Kristina! Finally someone wrote a more realistic insight. Yes, it is important that we all should engage into a better lifestyle and be critical in the foods we eat. However, it would defeat the purpose if we are not happy, and rather stressed on the lifestyle we choose. We deserve to enjoy a little of the “cheat” foods once in a while. Yes, I am eating a brownie when I think my body misses it.
Fabulous post! My philosophy has always been about moderation and about food being nutritious *and* delicious. I often hear people say moderation is not possible, but without it people fall to the extremes of the bell curve as you discussed. Recognizing the importance of enjoyment along with nourishment is so important!
Thanks Jessica!!
I’m with you chicka! There is definitely room in the diet for the white stuff. Honestly, I never understood why people demonize sugar. It comes from a plant like coffee, cocoa, bananas, apples, etc… you get the point. I would much prefer real sugar cane to some of the artificial sweeteners that have a funny aftertaste. I am also for fruit-sweetened goodies, but they too have a different taste and it depends on what flavor you’re going after. Balance, moderation, and variety principles also provide flexibility.
preach it sista! right on!
As a RD, I am so thankful for this post and I 100% agree. I often tell clients that they are ready to graduate from the program, not when they have reached their goal weight, but when they have a healthy relationship with food – one where they want to fuel their body with what it needs most of the time while allowing themselves to have the foods they crave, without feeling any guilt!
Thanks Vasu! I’m glad you stopped by to share your thoughts.
I love this post so much!! I am all about being healthy but I think that we as society may have lost some common sense along the way. I think it can be easy to be peer pressured into feeling like you should follow a this or that restrictive diet. It almost feels like we have to apologize for eating “normal” food. I am so glad that there is a greater awareness of what we eat but I’m
afraid that we’ve lost some of the joy of food too. Thank you for your post on the topic.
By no means do I think we shouldn’t have healthier desserts, but you are exactly right in that I don’t think we should FEAR the real stuff. There is definitely A LOT of fear around food these days.
I’m so with you. When I have a treat, I like the real, unedited version! Hope you find time to enjoy a brownie this weekend 🙂
Thanks gal! I definitely find room for both 🙂
I definitely agree with your view points. Moderation and balance is crucial. I personally have a major sweet tooth and know I could easily eat desserts every single day. I feel best when I don’t so to avoid it I eat plenty of fruit to supplement that craving and will have dessert once in a while. I’ve limited myself so much before and drove myself crazy!
moderation in all things. agree that there is a place for healthier sweets and there’s a place for the real thing, just less often 🙂
100% agree that there’s room for everything in a balanced diet. Thanks for the great reminder!
Thanks Katie!
Love it! Just had me a slice of good old fashion pizza, and it was glorious! What’s life for if you can’t enjoy all it has to offer? …especially when it comes to good food. 🙂
YES!!! Me too this weekend. So fun.
I definitely do agree – in a healthy diet, there definitely is room for the occasional treat – after all – it’s all about balance right?! Awesome post btw.
Balance and moderation fo sho.
I feel the same way about health and nutrition- it’s all about moderation! Part of why I love food is because of all the memories associated with special foods, being able to share a meal with loved ones, and just for pure pleasure. It’s easy to crash and burn when you don’t leave room for breathing space, and I hope more people realize that balance is key to health and happiness.
YES!! One of my first food memories with my mom was baking brownies in her kitchen, and it wasn’t a healthy brownie.. but I love that my mom taught us that we can have the sweet things in life and we can also eat our greens.
You should always allow for foods you love! That’s the point of LIVING!
I concur.
I’m in love with this post… I recently explained to a friend that giving up all “sweets” for Lent wasn’t a great idea and this article totally encompasses why… just sent her the link!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks for ur message Jess. I hope it helps your friend 🙂 All or nothing is tough to follow and usually results in a backlash.
Love this love this love this! Preach girl!
But, more importantly, what’s your brownie recipe-those look delish!
HAHA!! Truth be told, I found a recipe online for “Old Fashioned Brownies” to style this pic… but sadly didn’t turn out like mama’s brownies. Should have called her for the recipe.
Great post. Very fitting since it is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week!
Spreading the love.
I know from my experience trying to lose weight and now maintain, limiting myself and making healthy versions of treats wasn’t the same feeling. By enjoying a small ice cream cone, I was much more satisfied than a bowl of lighter ice cream. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for healthy desserts though, but I no longer think of those as indulgences and instead make them part of my day to curb my sweet tooth and make indulgences more rare.
YES! I much more enjoy full fat ice cream vs store bought frozen yogurt… and glad that we have recipes for healthier desserts (heck that’s why I started this blog to remake my granny’s recipes), but defiantly don’t want to fear cooking with/eating white sugar and butter.