10 Short Stories to Motivate You to Eat Well
A morning omelet filled with vegetables and cheese holds this 13 year over until the next round of food.
1. Don’t multitask when you eat.
In the 1960’s, snack tables were all the rage. They were being sold at the grocery stores. They were available through S & H Green Stamps. People had them in their living rooms in fancy wooden stands. Families would sit individually in front of the television; each had their own little table. The trend broke down the value of family conversation.
My mother would work for a long time to prepare food. We didn’t always appreciate it with this grab and go method of eating. All I recall is watching the news, particularly two stories come to mind. Our Lady of Angels School fire where many children would die. Another time watching Nikita Khrushchev, a Soviet Union politician during the Cold War as shouting. How could these sad stories or those of the typical newscast be good for digestion?
Whenever one is watching TV or reading, it is easy to be snacking or eating mindlessly since it is not the priority. The same is true when you are with friends playing board games. Seems like a bag of chips just disappears. Mindless eating costs us calories. It takes the value of enjoying food out of the picture.
2. Take the time to enjoy your food. Invite others to join you. I once worked in a small country church. Everyday at 12 o’clock noon we would stop and gather for lunch until 12:30. The parish was not rich, but everyday I ate there I felt like a Queen. I felt valued. It became the highlight of my day.
Our place settings were not matching, but the table was exquisite. Sister would take what was available and make it magical. We’d have a glass of lemonade, a cup of coffee and a simple lunch. There was always a dessert of a scoop of ice cream or a slice of homemade cake. Oh, how fresh it tasted. The handyman, myself, sister, and whoever was there would join us. It reminds me as I write this today that I felt my hunger was really fed. For what are you hungry? Food? Company? Prayer partners? Friends? Success?
Fresh fruit not only looks beautiful, but gives us energy! Thanks to my daughter for today’s photos.
One of the best things about setting time aside to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner is that we are able to concentrate and enjoy each bite. Set a beautiful seating for yourself and family. Use the nice silverware and china. Put aside your cell phone. If you are alone and listen to the radio, shut it off the to say grace and give yourself a half hour of silence. Don’t rush. If you are lucky to be with others, listen.
3. Try not to eat and drive; focus on traffic and where you are going. We are all so busy. We tend to think being busy is good. It is good to stay involved, but not 24/7. Years ago I fell into a bad habit of eating in the car. I would be driving for an hour and a half at a time. It was easy to drive through a fast food lane. My habit of having an apple and popcorn gave way to a hamburger and fries. My concentration was becoming sluggish and my waistline was disappearing.
4. Use a smaller, but interesting plate for your main meal. I recently read that a blue plate psychologically helps one to eat less. Try it. Again it makes you feel special.
When our children were small, we used cloth napkins. Every day each person had their clean napkin folded at their seat. It taught them to be neat, and to refold it until the next meal, unless it was just too dirty. I had a whole basket of them that I had made. We saved by not buying paper napkins and having extra garbage. I would soak and wash them regularly. Best of all it made our table special.
5. Don’t go back for seconds or refills. I don’t know about you, but when I have done this I usually head for something that is sweet or starchy. It’s the potato salad, the extra pasta, or dessert.
I was watching our 9 week old grandson last week. Normally he is nursed, but I was giving him a bottle of his mother’s milk. He began guzzling it quickly and was angry when it was gone too quickly. He also had taken in air.
We as adults do that too. We rush through eating and don’t give ourselves time to fully get satiated. We therefore overeat and we become angry that we don’t feel well. Eat slowly and with intent. It more satisfying.
6. Designate a bowl for a snack rather than eating from a bag or package of cookies. When I was a child, money was short. My parents would buy a quart of our favorite soda for us to share. We all had our own bowl for chips on a Saturday night. I remember rationing them out so they’d last me through The Hit Parade and Gunsmoke. It was truly a gift. We didn’t overeat, we felt special, and we were thankful. Those are great memories and a tribute to my parents who gave us what we
7. Write down what you eat. Looking at what I eat listed on paper is always revolutionary to me. There is so much listed. It is revealing.
8. Be sure to drink enough fluids especially chilled water. Water that is chilled “feels” like a treat. It quenches our thirst. It helps us stay hydrated and feeling well. It can be served with a piece of fruit like a slice of orange, lemon, or pineappple. It can be enhanced with a peppermint leaf . Be adventuresome.
9. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, foods, and proteins. When I first met my husband, his mother had a dandelion salad for us to eat. I had never tried Our bodies need vitamins, nutrients, fluids, oils–an ongoing center that foods help to provide. We must be open to trying new fresh foods. Traveling and engaging with other cultures helps us learn how to eat and appreciate a variety of foods.
10. Try to eat in the company of friends. Eating in isolation keeps us from being accountable. Food tastes better when there are others around us.