Posted on March 31, 2017 by Jenny Cromack
We’ve all heard of clean eating, cheat days and bad foods and with an increased awareness of nutritional habits and more foods becoming more readily available through immediate means, how do we decide what to eat? Many foods are endorsed by some and deemed unacceptable to others? So, is there such thing as bad food?
I recently had a conversation with a fellow student and she had heard the phrase of “there is no such a thing as bad food, just bad quantities” and it’s safe to say she was quite puzzled by this approach. I asked her why, and she responded listing foods such as cake, biscuits, chocolate, fizzy drinks stated they’re bad foods.
I’m going to be honest, I come from a more balanced approach, and I believe demonising foods as “bad” or “cheat” can cause a negative relationship with foods.
My approach would be limit those foods that you know aren’t optimal and that are usually calorie dense, often from poor calorie sources rather than nutrient dense. As these foods usually have a social aspect to them with eating out, it would be wrong of me to state that people should avoid these foods at all costs. However, we are looking to optimise our nutrient intake with food that’s going to provide more than energy and offer additional value to our diet in terms of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
With all that said if you’re able to moderate the intake of less optimal foods that are more calories dense and not containing much nutritional value, and then try to limit those foods to appropriate quantities. This is turn should provide a mental rest from a stricter and more restricted diet however will not impact your goals drastically long term.
All in all, it’s about having a balanced and healthy approach to your food, but also remembering not to feeling restricted with thinking as foods as ‘bad’, ‘treats’ or cheat meals.