Thursday, March 4, 2010

Ever realize something isn't as good as you thought?


One thing I'm trying to do during this process is to make my calories count for something. Obviously we all need to consume a certain number of calories to keep our bodies functioning. Ideally, I'm trying to make sure those calories also contain other things, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc.

There is another aspect of making calories count. That is when you make the choice to eat something that contains calories but has no other redeeming value. I recently had a little rant about one of those things: weight watchers bars. The thing is, when you make the choice to consume something with no nutritional value, I really think you still need to make those calories count. In other words, the nutritionally lacking item should be good enough to make the indulgence worth it. You should savor every bite.

I used to love Cadbury creme eggs. They were a favourite treat to receive in my easter basket. That milk chocolate with the sweet gooey centre. I looked forward to eating that more then just about anything else. My mom had a rule that we had to eat breakfast before having any chocolate, but once I had breakfast, I didn't waste time getting to that egg.

When I was older, I started buying them for myself. Once they arrived in the stores (February?), I'd start buying them. There were years when I would have one a day (at least). Then Easter would come, and they'd go on sale. I'd make sure to buy up some extras.

In the last few years, I've become more moderate, but I always still had to have at least one during the easter season. Last year, I commented to my husband that it wasn't as good as I was expecting. He reminded me that I'd said the same thing the previous year. The chocolate is cheap, low quality and the centre is just sickly sweet. It's not that it's horrible, but it isn't worth it anymore. If I'm going to spend those calories on something with no nutritional value, I need to enjoy it. Really enjoy it.

I think my taste buds have changed. I'm actually having trouble thinking of something that is completely lacking in nutritional value but is worth spending calories on. Perhaps a piece of indulgent chocolate cheesecake? I must say though, I honestly think I'd rather have a bowl of strawberries with ice cream - and even that isn't totally lacking nutritional value. There's calcium in that ice cream...

This year, for the first time in probably 20 years, I'm not going to eat a cadbury creme egg.

What are the foods that you consider worth the indulgence? Which ones aren't actually worth it?

4 comments:

  1. I understand what you're saying about your taste changing because mine has too.
    I still enjoy things I enjoyed before (like the Dove truffle that's available during the Easter season that I had yesterday.)
    I planned for it, and I did enjoy it. And as I was eating it, I was concentrating on whether I thought it was worth for 4 WW points or not. I couldn't decide which led me to believe that it wasn't that great.
    I enjoyed, and I'll eat one again at some point. But I do recognize that it doesn't give the satisfaction that it used to give. I get that satisfaction now by knowing I look better and feel better.
    So...I'm sure there are foods that are worth the indulgence occasionally...I just don't really focus on them or think about them much anymore..

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  2. I know what you mean. Store bought cookies-not worth it. Homemade, fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie-worth it!

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  3. Reese's peanut butter eggs.... something about those..... but you're so right about the Cadbury egg. I think it used to be of higher quality, but not so much anymore.

    Or is it that our tastebuds can finally discriminate?

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  4. Just found your blog...and I see so much I want to read! But I couldn't resist a comment on the Cadbury eggs, because I have the same reaction now. I used to buy them 3 at a time when they were 3 for $1. And ages ago, when I was studying in London, they had them in the store YEAR ROUND! I loved those things.

    But last year...the inside was just too icky-sweet. I can't deny I still like the chocoate part, though. But I'd rather have something else.

    Looking forward to reading more of your blog as I have time!

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