Our Relationship with Food

1.15
In 2012, I significantly improved the way I eat. Not just by having a better pantry of foods, but because I improved how I was eating. This is something that we rarely, if ever, think about, and it is almost guaranteed to not be taught as a life-skill.

What I came across in 2012 was a wellness program developed by Dr. Will Clower. His program is called Mediterranean Wellness, and portions of it focus on eating behavior, not just menu choices. What was revolutionary for me was the instruction on how to eat... literally, how to consume our food at a meal.

When we choose to follow these guidelines, I think it changes how we relate to food. In our western culture we thrive on fast and convenient. Mediterranean cultures, at least at their core, thrive on lingering and interacting over, and because of, food. For them, food is much less a commodity, and more a part of a connective lifestyle. And when we engage our food in this way, it can improve a lot of what is out of whack in our American culture.

Here are basic parameters:

• Plan meal times so you are able to linger over your food, preferably with others and conversation; timing is important
• Plan on seconds; start with a smaller portion intentionally
• Plan on dessert; be mindful of portions and calories to leave room for dessert
• The size of a mouthful matters! It should be about a teaspoonful size (roughly the equivalent of the first joint of your thumb) that's it for a mouthful, no more
• Chew and swallow whatever is in your mouth before putting anything else in; no two spoon- or fork-fulls at once
• (Here is the most helpful guideline!) Put your utensil down between each mouthful; no exceptions... this forces you to slow down, to linger, and to savor what you're eating - it really works! It takes practice, but it's a simple habit that reaps lifelong rewards
  
• For foods you pick up (pizza, subs, etc.) take a mouthful-sized bite and put it down; getting the food out of our hands and slowing down is a vital behavior
• It is helpful to use a smaller plate and smaller utensil; this has been studied at Cornell's food and brand lab extensively by Brian Wansink and others; really interesting stuff
• Last one, don't wash down your food with a drink; again, only one thing in your mouth at a time

To me, this was revolutionary, and it made a huge, positive difference in how I relate to food. I'm fairly accomplished at all of these now, and it really helps me linger, savor and enjoy what I'm eating. I'm more aware of tastes, smells and textures, and I know I eat less because of these guidelines, and yet feel just as satisfied, if not more so. It has definitely improved how I relate to food.

By the Way

These ideas on how we relate to food are really good for losing weight, if you're interested in that. When we slow down our eating it increases how satiated we feel from the food we consume. If we're more satiated, it is easier to push ourselves away from the table and be done with the meal. And the end results are all good: enjoying our food more, better conversation over the meal, losing weight, and slowing down in general. What's not to like about that?