To get the most out of life we aim to train hard and eat well. Food is a fuel for your body, but it’s also a big part of our culture and social connection with each other.
In an article by Marc David for the Institute for the Psychology of Eating, he discusses the power of eating foods that give a sense of pleasure. The times we overeat are when we are anxious, stressed or unaware. A relaxed, pleasured eater has natural control.
A study from the University of Texas showed the physiological reactions of enjoyment could counter-act a normally, cholesterol raising meal like a milkshake and a ham sandwich. Participants on a low-fat, restricted diet, when given the opportunity to relax and enjoy a ‘splurge meal’ actually avoided any cholesterol raising reaction!
In another interesting study, a group of Thai women were given a Swedish Meal, and Swedish Women a Thai meal, both groups absorbed significantly more nutrients from their meal of preference, despite the equivalent nutrient content. And get this, when they were given their meal of preference it was blended together – they also absorbed less nutrients than when it was served correctly.
The key to this story is that taste and pleasure are more essential to digestion than you think. When you’re socialising this weekend, relax, savour your treats, enjoy a drink – just be smart about it:
Party smarter:
– Swap a Beer for a clear spirit with soda water
– Swap chips for mixed nuts
– Swap cheese & cracker for a cracker with hummus
– Swap Lollies for Fresh fruit
