When you’re focusing on eating a better diet, there’s sometimes a tendency to avoid any food that you previously enjoyed. Some make the mistake of thinking that because they’re eating healthy and improving their diet and lifestyle, they can never indulge in “junk food” or something enjoyable again. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you shouldn’t deprive yourself of foods you enjoy, even when you’re focusing on eating better.

Indulgence is okay.

We’re all about eating healthier and improving your wellness through food. But it’s important to understand that indulging in things you like is, in fact, part of your wellness. It’s okay to indulge every once in a while! Holding yourself to an impossible standard and never eating those potato chips you have a craving for, or that morning donut you’ve been lusting after, isn’t realistic. And it can make you start to hate the idea of healthy eating in general, which you don’t want.

The key is balance. Indulging occasionally is okay — over-indulging frequently is not. When you find that happy medium of staying healthy via your diet and still enjoying yourself every once in a while, you’re on a good path.

Indulgence doesn’t have to be unhealthy.

Remember that just because a food is indulgent for you doesn’t mean that it has to be unhealthy. You can indulge in other things that aren’t considered “junk food.” A delicious pasta meal, for example, or some heart-healthy salmon. And keep in mind that you can swap out certain “junk foods” with healthier alternatives — kale chips instead of potato chips or a stick of lean beef jerky instead of a candy bar, for example. That way, you’re giving yourself that indulgence without ruining your healthy diet.

There’s more to life than healthy eating.

At the end of the day, you shouldn’t let your focus on healthy eating run your life. If you become obsessed, that’s also unhealthy! Try to remember that a healthy diet is just one part of a great lifestyle — the trick is maintaining a good balance of physical health, mental health and wellness, and personal fulfillment. You can eat all of the healthy salads and properly portioned superfoods you want, but you won’t be truly nourished if you’re miserable.

Get Back to That Balance

How is your healthy eating journey going? If you’ve avoided indulging in some foods that you love, give yourself a break. There’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself to enjoy foods you like, especially if you maintain that proper balance for a healthy lifestyle.