7 Little Indulgences – Very Little Guilt

Eating well is a lifestyle choice, we all know that but it doesn’t mean the food you eat need be boring, tasteless or bland. I am a firm believer in “everything in moderation” and by living to that I don’t feel deprived of anything.  Here are 7 little indulgences that I enjoy in moderation and it just so happens they are good for me too!

1. Dark chocolate. Mmmm chocolate. Imagine my delight when I discovered the health benefits of eating chocolate…who doesn’t like chocolate? According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association a 6.3 gram piece of dark chocolate (about the size of a Hershey’s Kiss) can lower blood pressure without causing weight gain. Word to the wise…not all chocolate is created equal! It’s the plant chemicals found in the cocoa beans that give dark chocolate it’s A+ rating. While milk chocolate does contain these chemicals they are diluted with milk and white chocolate contains none. 

2. Berries. Berries are delicious! They are low in fat, carbs and calories and are high in fiber, minerals and nutrients, how can you go wrong?  Some ways to incorporate more berries into your diet:

• On top of your breakfast cereal
• On ice cream
• In smoothies
• Fresh and plain
• Add to salads (this is our favorite summer salad highly recommended!)

3. Almonds. In a world that is focused on reducing fat in our diet, it’s important to know that not all fats are created equal. Almonds contain monounsaturated  fats which are known to reduce LDL, or bad, cholesterol. These tasty little nuts also contain essential nutrients such as Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and folate, to name a few. A handful of almonds as a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack or can really curb hunger, especially if coupled with a tall glass of water.    

4. Red wine. As I admitted in my article 7 Little Things That Make Me Disproportionately Happy I love a great red wine. It helps that there are always some good news reports telling us how drinking wine in moderation is actually good for you. A glass of red wine for women and two glasses for men, daily can help to reduce heart disease and increase HDL, or good, cholesterol. So the next time you find yourself responsibly indulging in a glass of red wine know you’re doing your body good.  

5. Yogurt. One of my favorite treats is taking ordinary yogurt and making it fabulous! Take some low fat yogurt in whatever flavor you love (for me it’s strawberry) and add chopped walnuts, slices of bananas, and top with a few fresh blueberries. Yum! Another simple way to spice up plain yogurt is to add a handful of granola to it. The granola is high in fiber and adds a bit of crunch to the yogurt. 

6. Smoothies. My favorite breakfast alternative are smoothies but they also make a great snack. Here are a couple of my favorite smoothie recipes:

• 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt,
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• Ice

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

• 1 banana
  
• 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
  
• 3/4 cup cooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup milk
• Ice 

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. The oatmeal adds volume and extra fiber which helps keeps you feeling fuller longer.

7. Skinny cow. Favorite frozen treats. At only 50 calories for a small fudge popsicle this is sure to satisfy any chocolate craving. I heard of this brand from some friends who are on Weight Watchers and so I thought I would give it a try, to my delight they are very good. The skinny cow has a variety of frozen treats from ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches and cones.

So there you have it; 7 little indulgences that I love and don’t feel too terrible about consuming. What things do you enjoy that are good for you? 

See also:
Have You Ever Seen A Dog Smile?
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Grab the Reins and Enjoy Your Life
When Life Gives You Lemons…Use Them!
7 Money Saving Ideas From The Kitchen

Photo courtesy of: kimberlyflaye