Why Do You Eat What You Do?

Weekly Focus: We should be eating for our health rather than just for fun, for fuel, or to control weight.

I remember feeling loved by my mother when she took down the cake she had made for dessert from the top of the refrigerator.  (And without thinking I will sometimes still reach for a sweet when I want a burst of happiness.)  Everyone knows that eating can be a lot of fun!  When I went away to college, I fainted during the first week because I was so excited I just skipped eating.  I quickly found the popular places to buy cheap, filling food that would give me the energy I needed for student life.  I ran a lot then, but when I had children and couldn’t run so much I had to start thinking more about what went into my mouth so that I wouldn’t gain weight.

Since then I have learned that although I did make some good food choices, there were some gaping holes in my nutrient resume which led to undesirable health problems later.  If like me your motivation for eating has been to have fun, to get fuel for living, or to prevent weight gain, there is a good chance that some very important nutrients are missing and you don’t even know it.  You have to be a conscientious and informed menu planner if you are going to understand what your body needs to thrive. 

This week why don’t you contemplate your own motives for eating what you do, and then take just one life changing step towards eating for your health as your top priority?

My number one suggestion is that you invest in a large cutting board with a moat around the edge, a sturdy chopping knife and a small paring knife.  Make the commitment to use them every day as you become familiar and comfortable using more fresh and healthy food in your cooking. Instead of planning something “easy” and “quick” for dinner, use recipes like those found at Orange Tree Lane which use ingredients that your body will love. Don’t eat just for fun, for fuel, or to control weight, but accomplish all of these goals at one time by eating for your health. You will never look back on your life and regret the time and energy you put into making healthy meals, but you could have plenty of regrets if you don’t start making the investment now.

Molly