My wonderful and intelligent friend, Ashley was recently quoted in Hello Canada saying “Chocolate happens. Wine happens. Pizza happens, too. We want to learn to incorporate those things in a healthy way, rather than feel we’re depriving ourselves.”
I really love this quote because there seems to be an idea that being healthy is about all or nothing and it’s not. We need to change this to think moderation, not deprivation. Healthy living does not mean giving up booze or never getting fast food again. It simply means that we need to view these as items we consume occasionally and not as part of our every day diet.
A few weeks ago when I was at work there was a bag of chips left open, free for the taking. I got myself a bowl, filled it up and proceeded to walk back to my desk. Along the way, some coworkers stopped me and said “Dani, are you eating chips? I didn’t think you ever ate anything bad. Are you going to self-implode?” The fact is I’m human, sometimes I eat chips and sometimes I like them. And I didn’t self-implode nor did I feel guilty or bad. Would a better choice have been an apple and almond butter? Sure, but sometimes it’s fun to eat junk food. So I ate the chips and made sure I had a good dinner.
Food is meant to be enjoyed and in moderation, we can eat a bit of junk food and it won’t be the end of the world. In my opinion, I think that it can be just as dangerous to be too healthy as it is to be too unhealthy. We don’t need the pressure, it creates stress and unhappiness.
So whether it be your glass of wine, chocolate bars or my personal weakness, cookies; pick your poison and enjoy it sometimes but not too often!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this Dani and am with you all the way. I know I feel my healthiest when I practice everything in moderation, even my healthy habits
Thank you for the daily inspiration!
Beautiful! I get this all the time at work, with family and with friends.