Balanced diet

What do you think is a healthy amount of cakes/chocolate/treats etc per week? A big pudding once a week? One small amount of chocolate each day?

I don't think there is a particularly 'healthy' amount of chocolate or pudding to eat as such, as little as possible is the best answer as the body doesn't need it. 'Moderation' is dependant on your personality and way of eating in general. If I look forward to 1 chocolate 'treat' each week it is more likely to ruin my normal appetite and make me crave it more. I have a chocolate bar whenever I feel like it, because it's easier to resist the majority of the time. If you *can* have it, it makes it less desirable.

I think there's a god % guide, which is 80% good, 20% bad. This way you're having some treats but on the whole a good enough diet. It's quite achievable too

That sounds like a good rule of thumb to go by DeedeeW!

I had a free personal trainer/nutrition session at the gym and this is exactly what she suggested. I think it's the best rule to adopt as it's simple to understand, so it's achievable. I will try and stick to this I think.

It's quite visual too, rather than saying 5 pieces of X or a certain amount of grams etc. i can easily divide my food up into 80% 20%

That sounds like a really good approach to eating, that way you don't feel like you're missing out and are more motivated to eat healthily the majority of the time.

I find the 80% and 20% thing more confusing than just having an occasional chocolate bar, pudding or bag of crisps when I want it, but then again I'm probably trying to overanalyse and percentages aren't my strong point! Always did hate Maths at school!

That's it! It's the way you think about it. This obviously shows that everyone should just do what suits them; whether that's calorie counting (no thanks), the 80/20 rule or allowing one day per week to eat whatever you want. 

That's what I do; have one cheat day. Although, Im starting to think it's not the healiest option, as I do tend to eat loads of 'bad' things on this day.

I did that for a while, but found it really hard not to overindulge. The plan was always to indulge a little, but I could never manage it. I suppose it depends who you are.

I tried that a while ago and gave up quick, on the 'bad' day it was too easy to pig out and be a lot less sensible!

I think it's prob best to just have little and often? Spread treats throughout the week as and when you crave them, but don't go overboard. I think if I had a cheat day I would go overboard even if I didn't fancy a treat!

ya  i also truly agree that one should eat everything in moderation and there is no hard and fast rule to it.