Treat foods may be foods that are rich-high in fat or high in sugar-that you really wouldn't want to eat on a regular basis.  Treat foods may be ones that are more expensive or hard to find so they're only eaten for special occasions. Treat foods may be ones that are labor intensive to make or prepare so when you do eat them, you savor and enjoy them.   

You aren't bad for eating these foods and these foods aren't necessarily "bad" for you. 

Your "treat" foods may be French fries or French toast ... sweetbreads or just sweets like candy or chocolate...or maybe cinnamon rolls or Alaskan King crab legs. For some Eggs Benedict may be a "treat" but scrambled eggs are something they eat several times a week. 

Let's stop talking about foods in a binary, good/bad way and appreciate food that nourishes our bodies. Let's be thankful we have the ability to provide food for ourselves and our families. 

Let's try and help others who aren't quite as fortunate by donating to local food banks and food pantries.

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Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

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