Recently, my daughter (18) was told by an adult in her family “You shouldn’t eat raisins, they’re fattening”.

Much to my delight, she was able to completely ignore this “advice” and did not justify it with a response, but did tell me all of the reasons why that statement was utter nonsense.

Here is what she said:

1. “Fattening foods aren’t even  a thing”

100% correct. Eating more in general than our body needs is fattening. There is no single food or food group that causes fat gain by itself. Just because a food is high in fat or sugar bears no relation to if it will make anyone fat. It’s a calorie surplus that does that, whatever the source.

Also, the very word “fattening” feels so 80s – it conjures Rosemary Conley, “naughty but nice”, “go on, be a devil”, “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” and all that other damaging crap.

2. “Dried fruits count towards your 5-a-day”

Yes, they do. They are a source of fibre and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and are a great part of a balanced healthy diet.

3. “I like them, they are a handy snack and good to take out with me when I’m exercising“

Absolutely.

4.  “Is (this person) suggesting I should be concerned about what’s “fattening” or not? What’s that about?”

Yep, it’s rude, fat-phobic and probably says much more about that person’s own attitude to weight and food. Ignore.

5. “Literally, nobody asked you”

Love this. I’ve said it before but here I go again: what you choose to eat or don’t has absolutely naff all to do with anyone else, especially if they are spouting ignorant tosh.

Super proud of my girl. When I was her age I would have taken that comment VERY differently, and that makes me very happy indeed.