Slow It Down!

Diary Entry

With a baby in the house, eating "right" is quite a challenge. I'm more centered on making sure the diaper and wipe stocks are replenished and that the housework stays done. Friends have been very helpful, inviting us for meals and just happening to cook enough for an army and insisting we bring home the leftovers.

Of course, none of my friends are on serious diets, so this food that comes home is generally infused with generous amounts of cheese, sausage, etc.

My pal Carolyn, bless her soul, even made a pan of Paula Deen's "Not Yo' Momma's Banana Pudding." It was stunningly delicious, and I decided to make it for a dinner over at another couple's house this weekend. It was then, seeing the recipe for the first time, that I realized a lot of that deliciousness came from ingredients like an entire can of sweetened condensed milk and a 12-ounce tub of Cool Whip.

Paula Deen is one of my idols, and I very much look forward to the day when I can sit down at her restaurant, The Lady and Sons, and eat for a couple of days. But not much of what she makes is diet friendly in any way, shape or form.

But I know this is only a short period of time. The baby is growing, and starting to sleep for longer periods already. It won't be long before he goes off to day care during the day and I'll have time to plan menus and shop properly. And, to be quite honest, I can USE the extra calories right now. (OK, not quite as many extra as I've been eating ... )

Slow It Down!

Which brings me to this week's topic. Have you ever heard of the 20-minute rule? With today's fad diets and prepackaged slop, a lot of the "old" diet wisdom has gone by the boards, and this rule is one that's been consigned to the dustheap.

Basically, it takes your stomach about 20 minutes to tell your brain that you're full. This is why, when you go nuts at the Chinese buffet, you feel the most miserable when you get in the car to go home. You've kept eating, in spite of the fact that you were full, and now your brain is punishing you for your gluttony. If I had a dime for every time I've put myself in that situation, usually with the help of Pancho's Mexican buffet, I'd be able to afford my own personal trainer.

How long does it take you to eat dinner? Do you even pay attention? Are you pounding the food down as fast as you can, rushing to get done before your evening shows come on? You're not doing yourself any favors. Not only will you not digest your food as well if you gobble it down, you'll not give your stomach time to tell you you're full, resulting in overconsumption.

Now I hear you out there, you're scrupulous about portion control. You don't ever eat more than you're allowed of your entree, and fill up the rest of your hunger with veggies and other "good" foods. I applaud you, but remember that even those good foods have calories, carbs and sometimes fat. If you give your stomach time to tell you you're full, you'll just flat out eat less.

And from an aesthetic standpoint, eating slowly enhances the experience of the entire meal. Nothing pains me like watching a meal I've spent hours preparing vacuumed down in 10 minutes by fork-wielding Philistines. How about tasting your food? Dare I suggest you savor a bite or two? Roll the food around on your tongue and get all your tastebuds in on the party. Let the aroma speak to you. ENJOY your food!

So many diets turn eating into a chore, to be completed quickly so you can, by gosh, get right back on that treadmill. The logic here is that if eating is turned into a pleasureless exercise, you won't want to do it as much.

This is hooey.

Worse, it's sabotage.

It is human nature to crave enjoyment and entertainment from the things we eat. We want and need that occasional "WOW" taste experience, and if we don't get it because we're shoveling down bland prepackaged diet meals or underseasoned, limited-ingredient concoctions, we're not doing ourselves any good. We're going to find that thrill elsewhere ... be it in the dark recesses of the chip aisle or the neon-lit death canyons of the fast-food establishments.

So, choose food with some taste to offer and eat it slowly. You'll be surprised how much less you need!

Got a question? Comment? Topic you'd like to see covered? Drop me a line anytime!