When I was in college a co-worker, let's call her Becky, once showed a group of us pictures of herself when she was 75 pounds heavier. Want to know her weight loss secret? Make meals and snacks special by focusing on the presentation, not the food. Her favorite trick:
Replace soda with water served in a crystal glass with a wedge of lemon, lime or orange.
Via PinterestBecky also mentioned that her healthy lifestyle initiative involved making family meal times less humdrum by using "real" dishes, not the mishmash of melamine plates printed with Disney characters that the family used previously. Paper napkins were a thing of the past.
Party ResourcesThe prettier the presentation the more likely Becky's family was to slow down and enjoy the experience. The food was secondary.
Over the years I've tried to incorporate some of Becky's advice about making meal times special into my own life. For example I might get out my favorite serving pieces or my wedding china for a Sunday night dinner. Adding candles and a centerpiece makes week night meals special.
Where you eat can affect how much you eat. Do you eat in front of the television? Do you stand over the kitchen sink or eat at the counter? Why not use your dining room for more than just holiday dinners? How about moving dinner outdoors?
via Southern Living
I'd like to take Becky's ideas one step further and say that the way the food is presented can impact our health as well. Take raw vegetables on a party buffet for instance, when they are arranged attractively and served on a pretty tray most of us will nibble. Prepping trays of fruit and vegetables and storing them in the refrigerator is an easy way to avoid the urge to grab that bag of chips.
Kids are especially receptive to eating healthfully when meals and snacks have an element of fun.
Via Pinterest
There are plenty of ways to make meal times more special. Just pay attention to the presentation and who knows, you may even improve your health.
(BTW, the last time I saw Becky she looked as lean as she did all of those years ago.)
Over the years I've tried to incorporate some of Becky's advice about making meal times special into my own life. For example I might get out my favorite serving pieces or my wedding china for a Sunday night dinner. Adding candles and a centerpiece makes week night meals special.
Including seasonal elements to your table is an inexpensive way to make your table more inviting.
Where you eat can affect how much you eat. Do you eat in front of the television? Do you stand over the kitchen sink or eat at the counter? Why not use your dining room for more than just holiday dinners? How about moving dinner outdoors?
Early fall weather is ideal for outdoor dining.(Wish I had a fireplace in my backyard!)
via Southern LivingI'd like to take Becky's ideas one step further and say that the way the food is presented can impact our health as well. Take raw vegetables on a party buffet for instance, when they are arranged attractively and served on a pretty tray most of us will nibble. Prepping trays of fruit and vegetables and storing them in the refrigerator is an easy way to avoid the urge to grab that bag of chips.
The only tools you need to create this garden of veggies is a small paring knife and your imagination.
Kids are especially receptive to eating healthfully when meals and snacks have an element of fun.
Via PinterestThere are plenty of ways to make meal times more special. Just pay attention to the presentation and who knows, you may even improve your health.
(BTW, the last time I saw Becky she looked as lean as she did all of those years ago.)
Great ideas! I had never thought about presentation for weight loss but if it worked for Becky, it's worth a shot! :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, I and a friend of mine, discovered this years ago too!! We always try to put our water in a pretty glass with a slice of lime or lemon. No big deal but it truly makes you want to drink more water. She has found that if she puts her veggies in special little piles she eats more veggies. Love that you brought this to our attention, great post,
ReplyDeleteKathysue
This is very interseting and I love the idea of not having the hodgepodge of melamine dishes and instead using a cohesive beautiful collection of "pretty china" and putting the focus on the table setting instead of the food sounds really good BUT in my house, I love to cook and my family just would not settle for a beautiful tablescape and a big salad or grilled fish....just wouldn't cut it around here. I think for us focusing more on the table and setting and maybe cutting back portions might be a more realitic approach (for our family) but I found this great, interesting and very entertaining! Have a great Sunday!!
ReplyDeleteYou know I never considered this approach but it does make sense! And to be honest, I eat so many meals while on the run that I don't even realize what or how much I ate!
ReplyDelete