Slow Down!

Having watched a nutrition video in my physiology class today, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the current mindset of many.  Food, which used to be viewed as an important part of socializing, and bonding, is now mostly viewed as an ingredient to keep us fueled.  The notion of eating as a family around a table has been replaced with people eating on their own time, whenever they please, wherever is most convenient (eg in front of the television or standing up, which actually makes you want to eat more!)  Instead of buying fresh food frequently, the frozen, ready-made dinner has become popular.  Fast food chains thrive off of the promise of being able to "have it your way", letting you design your own greasy meal.  This mindset centers around making food to please each of us individually, which fuels our new norm of multi-tasking and doing ten different things at once.  With our busy schedules, we are neglecting to cook for ourselves, and are therefore harming our health.  Not to mention the high-cost of dining out frequently, eating out tends to encourage larger, less nutritious meals.  

I was lucky enough to grow up in a family where my mother and father would work together to prepare dinners for us every night.  Eating out was more of a treat, and missing our family dinners were not permitted by any means.  This allowed us to share so much more than just a meal together--we would talk about our days, politics, history, culture, and really learn from each other.  Our family dinners have heavily impacted the person I have become, and I am so thankful that my parents cooked and made us eat together.  My family has always been very close, and it's precisely because we have all made interaction with each other a priority.

Food should not be viewed as a simple fuel--you will be depriving yourself of so much pleasure if you don't slow down to appreciate it!  Socialize while you eat.  Chew your food slowly (to allow your stomach to let you know when it is full!), and try to really taste and enjoy.  Get creative--invite someone over to cook with you, pour yourselves some wine (a glass of red wine IS actually healthy for you!) and make a night out of it!  Only by cooking for yourself, can you be absolutely certain of how healthy your meal is.  Indulge one of your greatest senses :)