Posted by kathryn in A Balanced Diet and Q & A Thursday

This Q & A Thursday question is a variation on one I receive often – if I consume a hot chocolate / glass of wine / cake / packet of lollies / chocolate bar / tub of Ben & Jerry’s . . . will it ruin my diet?

It all depends on the diet

While I can’t condone the whole tub of ice-cream, part of the answer is of course, it depends on the diet. If you’re eating well most of the time, and active in your daily life, then the occasional hot chocolate isn’t going to ruin anything. It’s a treat food and treats can be part of a healthy diet.

The power of one food

The other part of the answer is, it’s rarely one food that “ruins a diet”. If you’re eating high saturated fat and sugary foods and there’s little fresh fruit or vegetable, then a hot chocolate is not your only problem. Our food habits are rarely messed up by one food alone.

The take home message

• Eat a diet full of fruit, vegetables, low fat proteins and wholegrains
• Do some physical activity every day
• Then you’re free to enjoy treat foods occasionally

What is Q & A Thursday?

This post is part of Q & A Thursday – a weekly burst of blogging, where you get to dictate the subject matter. Q & A Thursday is all about simple, practical and sensible answers to food, diet and health dilemmas sent in by readers. If you have a question you’d like answered, then either leave a comment or send me an email. For more information you can take a look at the Q & A Thursday archives.

20 September, 2007