Rethinking Your Relationship with Food

Just as it takes a quarter mile for a freight train to stop, it takes time for your body to know you have had enough food. This is where chewing your food, eating slowly and thinking about what you are eating or have eaten is wise. One problem with restaurants is that sometimes the waiter or waitress is so competent that the moment you finish a plate, it vanishes. This short circuits the feedback or reality of what you ate and you feel you can or should go back for more.

Stopping when you are still a little bit hungry takes years of practice. Wishing you had another slice of pizza, or pie or cake is wisdom that you will appreciate two hours later. I noticed that when I was in the store shopping they would give me tiny samples of cheese, crackers, sausage, or food and it was wonderful. It hit my senses and I had time to enjoy it. I would buy the same item and gorge on it, and it was not that good. That first chip, that first taste of beer, that first slice of beef on a bun is wonderful beyond description. Going back and trying to recreate that sensory overload with more and more food is the mistake we all make. 

Over the decades, I have discovered that being an omnivore is probably the best strategy. I have watched my vegetarian friends scold me for eating that disgusting meat, and then they gorge on sugar and sweets like an out of control addict getting a fix. In contrast to the madness of Thanksgiving with food mixing, I like to have a salad, or a couple apples, or meat at different times. It is probably not wise to overeat and try to digest carbohydrates, meats, sweets and other foods in large volumes all at the same time.

One of the advantages of moderation with food is that eating modest amounts of food can be a life saver. Eating a small quantity of bad food may leave you feeling out of sorts, while an excessive quantity can be a killer. Paying attention to your food can be a wise strategy. Many people gulp, bolt, or devour food before they realize that the milk is sour, or the food is off and they have no way to easily stop. Dietary diversity is good for many reasons. By getting many different fruits, vegetables, and foods we get a wider spectrum of vitamins and minerals.