F*** the detox, let's eat (organic) chocolate

In the light of recent rants by Dr. Ben Goldacre and others, it suddenly seems distinctly unfashionable to be using the 'd' word. What was once a yearly ritual for most self-respecting health freaks is now seen as a bit of a joke, with many people simply admitting that they don't want to punish themselves by avoiding booze and comfort food during their 'holiday comedown' and when the weather's at its bleakest. Words that all but the most strong willed will cling to in an instant...

So, let's assume that quite a few of you will be shunning the season of self-flagellation in 2009, and talk about the substance that has taunted many a fad-dieter over the years: chocolate.

While being mindful of the 'bad' aspects of chocolate - the calories, for example (and let's face it - we could all do with a few more of those while this cold snap persists), there's no doubt that it makes most of us feel good, and in addition, it has been found to contain some substances that are good for our bodies such as flavonoids; antioxidants compounds thought to be responsible for lower rates of heart disease and cancer in people who eat a well balanced diet.

So, having decided to indulge just a little bit during the post holiday doldrums, I was drawn to F*** It, Eat chocolate, an organic fair-trade brand of the good stuff made in Italy, whose ethos seems to sum up the way most of us are feeling just now. It's available online, for £2.50 a bar. So here's to ditching the detox, eating tasty things in moderation - and chocolate!

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