Food as Friend

This NYT article discusses a "new trend" in dieting. I agree mostly with its premise. If people know what to eat, as opposed to what not to eat, they will make better choices, have a better diet, feel better, and be able to maintain a normal weight. Eating well is not about removing all the pleasures from our food, but its about weighing the value of the foods you eat. If we can add more healthy, whole foods to our diet, we will have less desire/capacity for the foods that are not as good for us.

Don't get me wrong. Those who know me, understand that I have a real soft spot for sweets. Anytime I am at an event where there are cookies around, they always catch my eye and I am tempted. I have learned about the quality and pleasure of food though. If its one of those ooey, gooey, melty, soft, to-die-for chocolate chip cookies I will definitely partake (I try to resist eating so many that I get sick). I have learned to say no to the 1 million to a box, cardboard looking and tasting chocolate chip cookies that frequent such functions. Its not worth it to me to try and satisfy my sweet craving with something that won't come close to satisfying it.

Also, it is easier to eat good foods if I prepare it before hand. At work, I eat quite well, and that is mainly because I bring all my food and know what I am going to eat at what time of the day. This eliminates the "what do I feel like right now?" portion of selecting food.