How To Enjoy Food

Have you heard of the Pareto principle? The Pareto principle also is understood as the 80/20 rule of which is an occurrence that asserts that approximately 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes. In other words, a slight percentage of causes have a larger effect. This principle is essential to understand because it can assist you to recognize priorities. Incidentally, it was the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto who formulated the principle in the 19th century. However, I never thought of using this principle in correlation with our personal diet.

In this week's episode, a food connoisseur revealed that she enjoys eating 20 percent of foods that may not go well in a person's diet, but 80 percent of her diet is concentrated in healthy foods. Nonetheless, she only eats when she is hungry and always commensurate to her hunger. Her assertion is that most people eat when they think they must, regardless of being hungry, and often the case is not so healthy food. Diets and counting points for the purpose of losing weight do not work, it is not sustainable, she said. Therefore, she began her blog, namely, "Gourmet Done Skinny."

The 20 percent reminds her of the 80 percent of healthy foods, and she has been able to maintain her weight, quite an interesting concept that struck me after recording the episode.

So, the point is, do not deprive yourself in the 20 percent not so healthy diet with moderation and this will remind you to keep yourself on the 80 percent right track of staying nutritionally healthy. Whether my guest realizes she is implementing the Pareto rule in her diet or not, she did not say but it works for her, and it could work for you as well.

Here is one example of the concept.

A few years ago, while having lunch with friends, I ordered a chicken salad and requested for the dressing to be put on the side. Most would drench the salad with dressing, however, what I proceeded to do made me look like I was from a different planet when they saw me just slightly dipping my fork in the dressing instead of drenching my salad with saturated fat, calories, and sugar. I suppose I was using the Pareto rule without knowing it, but it did not deprive me of the salad dressing altogether, yes, the 20 percent reminding me of 80 percent, in this case, my fresh chicken salad.

Speaking of eating out, it takes some planning and foresight, and for those that know me, no pun intended. If you are like me, I tend to skip lunch to minimize the calory intake for the evening dinner, however, the thing to do is to have a little bit of fiber , at least  five grams and five grams of protein, like almonds which are low in carbs and high in protein and fiber, just a handful unless your hand is big as a catcher’s mitt,  or chop-up veggies about an hour before your dinner reservation, this is your 20 percent cause. You will not be starving; therefore, you are more apt to share your dinner plate with your spouse which is another strategy.

Who does not enjoy a delicious hamburger occasionally, why not order with a lettuce wrap instead of the two buns? I found that most restaurants will mix and match your order if they really want a long-lasting happy customer. My personal view is to be in control how you dress your dinner plate, much like you have literal control of dressing yourself with clothes, unless you are keeping a secret. LOL!

How many times have you changed your order after hearing your dinner company order their meal? So, the trick here is, to order first with your plan in place to avoid being persuaded to order something that is not in your health plan. And who knows, your company may begin to think in terms of ordering more healthier meals.

If you want an alcoholic beverage, wait until you receive your meal and make sure to have a glass of water to sip. This strategy will not only save you cocktail calories, but it will potentially lower inhibitions, which often means less willpower around food.

How about putting down your fork between bites? I tried this at home which prompted my wife to ask, "what's wrong with my cooking?" So, make sure to inform your company what you are doing to cut down on overeating even though you are hungry enough to eat both arms, from starving to being stuffed is not healthy but harmful. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to register that you have had enough, so, enjoy your dinner company, and slowly savor your culinary delight in the meantime.

Speaking of my wife, I asked for her to share a recipe with us for this post since I spend more time at the table than in the kitchen. And here it is in bold:

 

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BAKE

 

1 LB. POTATOES CUT ¾ ANY POTATOES WILL DO

½ CP GREEN OLIVES

2TSP. THYME

3 TBS. OLIVE OIL

KOSHER SALT AND PEPPER

1 LEMON HALVED

1TSP. PAPRIKA

4 SMALL CHICKEN LEGS AND OR THIGHS

BABY KALE OR CARROTS AND GREEN ONIONS

OVEN 425 F USE LG SHEET PAN TOSS VEGETABLES AND SEASONING WITH OLIVE OIL, SQUEEZE AND ARRANGE LEMONS

ROAST CHICKEN UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN.

(470 CALORIES)

 

And let us not forget my chili peppers

"Wow! I am starting to salivate!"