When a little bit of what you fancy can do you good….

Let’s face it, if we listened to all of the advice thrown at us about what we should and shouldn’t eat or drink, life would become very boring. So it’s good to know that some of those things considered “bad” can actually be quite “good” – in moderation!

Research has shown that red wine in moderation may promote heart health. A scientific study has found compounds in red wine may play an active role in limiting the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis (a fatty substance causing disease within the arteries).

Is chocolate good for me? Pure 70-80% chocolate, not sugar with a little chocolate added. Yes in moderation. Chocolate is rich in fibre, iron, magnesium and other minerals. There is still a lot of research to be done but it has been shown in some cases to increase good cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol. It’s also been linked to increased brain function.

Coffee in moderation can help you to lose weight. It is one of the few natural substances that aid in fat burning within the body. It can also help depression which causes a significantly reduced quality of life. A Harvard study, published in 2011 found that women who drank 4 (or more) cups of coffee a day were 20% lower risk of developing depression.

We’ve all been there, work stress, life stress, just plain old stress but stress in moderation can be beneficial to our bodies. It can increase immunity – in the short term. It can boost brain power and strengthen the connections between neurons in the brain. When I work with my hypnotherapy clients, I teach them to control their stress, not to allow it to control them.

Are you the last to finish a meal, or do you eat so fast that your taste buds don’t even realise you’ve eaten? Research has shown that it takes around twenty minutes for the brain to acknowledge food, even if you’ve eaten it in five. Your stomach is over-full before it even realises the food is there. Eating slowly actually makes weight loss or maintenance easier, and gives us greater satisfaction with our meals.

The key is moderation, and the bonus is that you then don’t have to deprive yourself of these things. If moderation is something you struggle with, maybe a therapy session or two can help get that back on track too.

So, a little of what you fancy really can do you good after all!

Becky Wells, www.beckywells.com, Personal Development Hypnotherapist, www.payitforwarduk.net