Candy and guilt

We know that it's Saturday, and Saturday is the biggest candy day for most of us (but to some people it's as much of a candy day as any other day, whichever way works for you). But to all of you loving candy and feeling terrible when buying or especially when you've eaten it, this blog is for you.

My tip will not give a damn about whether you're on a diet or not. It won't take into consideration if you're eating less fat, calories or anything else. My tip is merely intending to make you feel better - mentally.

Perhaps you love crisps (who doesn't?) and especially crisps and dip. Sure, it's ok to eat it now and then, but the key is to limit it. 50 or 40 grams are perfectly ok for a night. You still get something to satisfy you, but not as much, and then you won't feel as bad either.

Alternative 2: You can have carrots (I prefer carrots, but obviously any vegetable will be fine) with dip. It's sort of the same feeling but not as fat.

Alternative 3: Eat nuts now and then. Now I'm not talking about salted peanuts, but unsalted pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts (and of course any other nut out there). The key here is also to limit yourself. Even if nuts are healthy, they still contain a lot of fat.

For the chocolate lover: It is ok to eat chocolate now and then, especially dark chocolate (75% and up) and even if you don't like dark chocolate you can still get away with it. Allow yourself to eat and think about how it makes you feel. What is so attracting about it? How do you feel afterwards? Do you feel good? Bad? Disgusted?

I admit, sometimes I eat candy. I allow myself to eat a row or two from a chocolate whenever I feel like it. And it's also because I've allowed myself to do it that I don't feel bad about it. It's not the same forbidden feeling and therefore it's easier to resist. It may not work for all of you, but it has worked on me.

When you de-dramatise the event it doesn't have as much effect on you. You know you shouldn't eat chocolate or other kinds of candy, but if you don't allow yourself to make mistakes now and then it will end up with you sitting in your bedroom crying devouring candy. It's not good, we don't want to get there. So instead of that, just allow yourself to eat bad food now and then, but don't forget to limit yourself. It doesn't have to be 500 grams of candy from the local candy shop every week. buy a small bag and enjoy it. Taste it! It's ok not to be perfect.