3.3. Theme 1: The Definition of an Indulgence
The participants had specific ideas of what an indulgence was and being able to define these was important due to their individualised nature. As one participant reflected: ““Cakes, chocolate. Chocolate, I didn’t go through as much. Yes, I’ve actually cut back on chocolate. But things like the pastries and the muffins and the large coffees, so. And ice creams have been on the radar a bit as well.” Male, 50 years.Participants also referred to indulgences as an excess of food, for example, portions that were perceived to be too big or eating when not hungry. As one participant expressed:
“So, but then I was wondering about things like, so after I’ve played some tennis on the weekend, we went to somebody’s place afterwards for a kind of afternoon tea. And so having that extra slice of fruit bread with nice soft cheese on it. And really, you’re not hungry. So, I suppose that’s a good, an easy part of the definition. If you’re really not hungry and you’re just having something for the taste of it, all that.” Female, 61 years. Participants mentioned indulgences in reference to their nutritional value, be it empty calories (i.e., no nutritional value) or what they defined as “bad foods” in relation to health:
“Usually anything processed that I know isn’t necessarily positive calories. So, anything empty calories or sugary or overly processed, I would consider an indulgence, particularly if it’s not even disguising itself as healthy food, so chocolate bars, soft drinks, things like that.” Male, 41 years.