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We all deserve a treat from time to time, don’t we, and what could be more rewarding than a cream cake or bar of chocolate or…. well – you name it! Whatever rings your bell! But I’m sure you will agree that it isn’t really a treat unless it is something which contains lots of fat and/or sugar - high calorie/low nutrient food which is naughty but nice! When we speak of treats we often do so within the context of reward and what we feel we deserve. Whether it’s because we’ve just finished a project, got the kids in bed after a hectic day, or simply stuck to a diet for a whole week – now is the time to sit down and relax with our faithful friend – food. Where, I wonder, does this ingrained association between reward and comfort eating come from? I reckon that for many of us, it all stems back to childhood. When you got good grades in school, or had helped around the house, or finished your homework, did you get given sweets (or money for sweeties) by your parents? And maybe as you got older, special achievements were marked by family celebratory meals, not complete, of course, without some decadent dessert! There’s nothing innately wrong with the idea of treating ourselves occasionally, but if we are not careful we can easily rationalise our need for reward eating several times a day. Perhaps we could think of some other legitimate ways of treating ourselves at times… like a bubble bath, buying a favourite magazine or a trip to the cinema (go easy on the popcorn though!) But now I have another thought for you to chew on. I’ve looked up the word ‘treat’ in the dictionary and it has several meanings. Here is the one which most closely relates to what I have been talking about thus far: ‘something considered choice to eat.’ And now here is another meaning, expressed as a verb: ‘to care for or deal with medically or surgically.’ It strikes me that there is a vast difference between treating my taste buds (eating something choice) and treating my body (caring for it). In fact, what is considered a treat to my natural senses may often be viewed as an assault by my physical body! Conversely, when we eat high quality nutritious food our bodies (had they a voice) might exclaim: ‘Now that’s what I call a real treat!’ If you are overweight and especially if you are suffering from some obesity-related illness, it’s time to treat your body, not your taste-buds. Medicine and surgery have their place, but it is your diet (plus exercise) which will reap the most benefit for your body. The word ‘treat’ can be split up into ‘tr….eat’ which I have cleverly expanded to this: ‘tr(ue) eat(ing)’ So why not treat yourself to some true food – fresh, unprocessed whole foods – and a sleeker, healthier body will be your well-deserved reward. |
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