Room for Indulgence

The holiday season is coming to an end and so are the copious amounts of holiday foods. But there is still one holiday on the radar that can be problematic for many people who are trying to be healthy, Valentine’s Day.

It can be difficult to resist walking down the Valentine’s aisle at the grocery store without buying something or turning down the box of chocolates your sweetheart gave you, but Valentine’s Day does not have to mean disaster for your health. 

“If you know you can’t resist eating something unhealthy one day, go easier on the food earlier that day.” Said Jennifer Ray, Registered Dietitian “If it is a special occasion like Valentine’s Day and you want to have the chocolates, eat clean beforehand. Give yourself a little room in your diet for the food that you know you can’t resist.” 

According to Ray, the key to a healthy lifestyle is variety. It isn’t necessary to be absolutely perfect with food to feel your best. Putting too much pressure on having a perfect diet will end up backfiring, causing the dieter to indulge too much. 

“For Valentine’s Day, I like making healthier sweets like chocolate covered fruit. It allows me to still indulge a little bit but it is still semi-healthy because it’s fruit.” Said Jessica Truitt, Psychology Sophomore. 

People don’t have to give up one of the best things about the holiday of hearts (chocolate), Said Ray, because in a healthy diet, there is always room for indulgence.