Valentine’s Day, like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, World Smile Day (yes there is one) and British Doughnut Day (OK, I’m exaggerating – I think) is often used as an excuse to blow the diet and indulge in a calorie-fest. The shops are groaning once more with boxes of chocolates, Valentine butter biscuits, lemon heart shortbreads and pink cup cakes. When we used to celebrate Christmas and Easter and possibly our own birthday, the occasional indulgence was to be welcomed. When there’s pretty much something every month – or for some people with huge families – almost every week, avoiding celebrations can be difficult.
Before you mortgage the house buying expensive ingredients for your seductive supper (and some of the websites suggesting “romantic meals” do deserve an A* for their corny language), think twice. Are you really going to be up for action in the bedroom after half a lobster with garlic or possibly a whole baked brie for starters, followed by steak in red wine with chips (don’t forget the seasonal purple sprouting broccoli “for something green” to make you feel healthy), rounded off with chocolate melting pots and washed down with lychee bellinis? More likely to be up all night in the bathroom with heartburn.
May I offer you one of my tips on losing weight? If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day (and there may be many people who are perfectly capable of making a romantic gesture at the time of their choosing rather than some marketing man’s pressure), instead of celebrating with food why not try a calorie free alternative this year? Perfume, underwear, flowers, music, poetry – whatever turns you on. These are far more likely to put you in the mood for love, unless of course you choose a Barry White CD in which case your loved one might run a mile!
Dr David Ashton
11th February 2011
