In the rush to eat healthy amidst all the food fads out there, seems like we’re missing the point sometimes:
Not everything needs to be healthy. We can eat a small portion, a cookie, a cupcake and then just say no.
I’ve been asked a couple of times (honestly, like, twice) if I offered “healthy” versions of cupcakes. Sorry, but a cupcake isn’t healthy. It’s never going to be healthy. And it shouldn’t be.
A cupcake is a treat.
If you’re looking for ‘healthy,’ a bakery isn’t where you want to be. A produce section is more apropos. Save the cupcakes for an indulgence.
We do offer cupcakes that will work for those with some dietary restrictions. Those aren’t necessarily ‘healthy’ though either; they just are either gluten-free, vegan, dye-free or nut-free for the most part. Some versions are healthier than others, the kind with more (non-processed) fruit, less sugar, whipped cream frosting instead of buttercream, lower fat, you get the picture. The trick is that they still taste amazing…and they’re still not ‘healthy.’ We shouldn’t confuse healthy with healthiER and eating one doesn’t mean you’re eating unhealthily. And if you still don’t want to eat one doesn’t mean we have to take away that opportunity from others. Cupcakes are not the enemy! 😉
My feelings are that treats should be indulgent — sugary, sweet, tart, whatever floats your boat for the taste you’re seeking. Take away the frosting, the filling and/or the sugar, and you’ve got a muffin. Suddenly a treat becomes a breakfast item.
Instead of looking to find a cupcake that fits in your diet, get back on the treadmill or pop in that Zumba DVD and work off the calories. Enjoy the cupcake. Just don’t do it every day. Moderation. Bite into that rich chocolate cake with cherry filling and almond meringue frosting. Savor it. Then check it off the list and don’t do it again right away.
Healthy and sweet treats can co-exist. You aren’t falling off the ladder if you enjoy your food; instead, you’re learning how to incorporate real life into your eating style and you’re statistically proven to be more successful at keeping the weight off. Studies have shown that deprivation causes resentment and people feel like they’ve failed the minute they have that one cookie. Don’t let the fact you shared dessert on your anniversary or had a fancy coffee with a friend make you feel like you’ve ruined your ‘diet.’
Life’s short. I’d rather enjoy a few cupcakes and say no the rest of the time than police my diet to the point of misery and teach my children that food is a problem. We’ll continue to bake our cupcakes with high-quality and organic ingredients, no high-fructose corn syrup, no dyes, no preservatives and nothing fake. We just eat them in moderation, exercising the power of “no” by not getting carried away.
What was the last treat you truly enjoyed?
And clearly, I am not a doctor, so seek medical advice with any dietary questions you may have before going hog wild with any sweets.
I have to learn the power of no, well that and moderation. Great post!
Thanks, Billie! The power of no isn’t always easy but it definitely helps me — I like to test the competition out there and, well, I like food as much as I like to stay fit. 🙂
Not to say that treats can’t be healthy; but like you say, generally they’re not. I try to limit my treat intake, and when I do eat something, I make it worth the effort. Why waste your time with Diet Coke when Coke is what you want (in moderation),
Plus I’ve found that many times now, I don’t really want the treat itself, so much as to “treat myself to something special;” massage, facial, alone time with my book–all calorie-free too!
Anne, great points! If you’re going to eat it, eat what you like and don’t make a habit of it. And so true, something special doesn’t need to be caloric. Thanks!