Wellness Wednesdays

Be a gourmet not a gourmand.

France is know for its love of food. The French consume more fat than Americans and yet are generally very thin. There are always exceptions but even mothers of multiple children return to their original size after pregnancy. How can this be? Don't dietitians tell us to eat less fat and carbs to lose weight? How are they eating all of these things with REAL butter and cream sauces wile still maintaining a slim physique? Easy, they are gourmets. To be a gourmet means that you appreciate high quality food. You look forward to your meals and savor the flavors of each dish served.

If you have never tried something before you do the one bite rule; take one bite to try it and that's it. If you did not enjoy it you do not need to eat the rest of it. If you did enjoy it you may continue eating it. There is truly no reason to suffer though food.  The next time you are served that same dish that you particularly didn't care for, try it again. Maybe this cook used a different blend of spices, or it is cooked in a different manner. Even if it is by the same person, you must always do the polite thing and try it.

Now a gourmand is someone who over indulgences in food. They do not understand the normal proportions a person should eat. A question you should ask yourself is "Why am I going back for a second helping of macaroni and cheese? Did I eat it quickly without giving it much thought? Without savoring it? And enjoying the rich complex of flavors? Are there no rich complex flavors? Why am I going back for more bland macaroni and cheese, when the spinach salad had much more flavor and is better for me?" Now every situation is different. Generally if you MUST go back for seconds pick a high protein option or more vegetables. Unless you ran a marathon or have a medical condition requiring it, going back for thirds is not an option.

How much of each food should you put on your plate? The easy way to remember is that a forth of the plate is your starch, another forth protein, and the remaining half is non-starch-y vegetables and or fruit.

Ultimately the key is proportions. My weakness is chocolate. A small piece after a meal is fine. It's when I have three pieces after lunch, then a few more during the afternoon, and then a couple more after dinner, that it becomes a serious problem! It's small right? Yes, but it's really as if I'm eating a whole bar of chocolate in one day. This comparison appalls me. A WHOLE BAR of chocolate, in one day. As an athlete the importance of putting good things in your body is imperative. Even if you are not an athlete you should still treat it with respect.

So what are your daily food weaknesses? Chips? Soda? Candy? Total up how much you eat of your weakness on an average day or week. Be honest with yourself; if you're trying to hide how much candy you eat you are probably eating too much of it.

 It is time to rethink what kind and how much food we consume.

-Josie