Chocolate seems to be the road to ruin for many who want to lose weight. Just the thought of this delicious treat seems to make women in particular feel better. The taste, the smell, and even the very idea seems to improve our feelings.

Let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy some chocolate? If I have an afternoon alone I have been known to chill out in front of the TV with coffee and a bar of chocolate, and I enjoy the intense pleasure!

It is a comfort on a bad day, a reward for hard work, a celebration, and a pick-me-up when we are feeling tired. The occasional little chocolate is fine and the manufacturers would have us believe it is good for us. But the big problem is that it is incredibly more-ish, and the self-control needed to stick to just one when you open a box is a major test of willpower for most of us. If you have read the myth of Pandora’s Box, you will know that the box is best left unopened.

I have received so many letters on the subject of chocolate from women who have managed to eat sensibly all day and then find themselves eating chocolate in the evenings. Keeping chocolate in the house for guests can provide major temptation.

Tips

• Most healthy eating programs allow the occasional treat, so if you enjoy chocolate, have it once a day, or once a week, and look forward to your chocolate time. But don’t spoil it by eating chocolate at other times.

• If you are offered a chocolate, take one and really enjoy it. You feel good and your host feels good, but always refuse a second one. The second never tastes as good as the first anyway!

• If you find chocolate too tempting, give it up for a period.

Recipe of the Week

Bharva Hari Mirch

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 small green bell peppers

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

210 g shredded cabbage

40 g carrots, grated

1/8 tsp turmeric

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

Method

Wash and dry the bell peppers. Cut the bell peppers lengthwise (from the stem side) in half. Remove the seeds and cut out the pulp part near the stem, leaving the pepper in a cup-like form. Set aside. Heat 3/4 tsp oil in a large, nonstick fry pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, covering with a lid to avoid splattering. Fry for a few seconds until the mustard seeds stop popping. Add the shredded cabbage and carrots. Stir. Add turmeric, salt, coriander and cayenne pepper and stir. Cover with a lid, heat through, reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes. The vegetables should be slightly tender. If there is any excess liquid accumulated at the bottom of the pan, increase heat to evaporate it. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Divide cabbage mixture into eight equal parts. Stuff the bell pepper halves with the mixture. Clean the fry pan and heat the remaining 2-1/4 tsp (11 g) oil over medium heat. Place the stuffed bell peppers in the hot oil with the stuffed side facing up. Reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the bell peppers become tender. The bottom of the bell peppers will be slightly black. Transfer the bell peppers to a serving tray.

Ask Alva

I am a mother of two and I am feeding my second son who is 4 months. Can I swim when I am breast-feeding? I need few exercises, which I can do at home. Elaine

Try to exercise at home every morning for 20 minutes. Start with stretching and then exercise each part of the body, including sit-ups or stomach crunches and waist exercises. Finish by jogging on the spot. Start with 2 minutes and build up to 10 minutes. Swimming is also very good for you, and there is no reason why you should not swim while you are breast-feeding. Eat a balanced diet for your health and the baby’s. You can e-mail me for my full 20-minute mini-morning workout at [email protected]. Alva

For all your weight concerns and questions e-mail Alva Carpenter at: [email protected]

Selected letters will be replied to in this column.