I’ve always thought it was interesting how most dogs are “self-feeders”.
Don’t worry – this isn’t going to be another dog post. But what’s fascinating to me is how when it comes to their own, regular, non-human food – they’ll eat a bit and say “put a fork in me” (not literally – that would be terrifying on several levels). But if you put some leftovers from whatever you’re eating down on the ground, they’ve got their dining bib back on in seconds.
Why is that? I tend to think it has more to do with all the excitotoxins and herbs and salts and spices we (and manufacturers) use to decorate every meal like a sacrificial Christmas tree destined for our tongue and gullet. We like variety because we get bored, so we spoil our mouths at meals. Is this bad? Not necessarily – but for some, it causes them to overeat because you get addicted to the seasoning itself – and go past the point of satiation in the process. And if you over-serve yourself food, you may eat the whole plate instead of saving seconds for tomorrow (and in effect, saving money, weight gain, and so on).
(Amy’s is where it’s at.)
But this recent study on portion control showed first that adults tend to lick the plate clean while kids turn their noses up at most stuff. And then “yes-and” analysts tried to expound on this study, claiming that distractions while eating make you consume less. I dunno about this because the “distractions” in the actual study had to do with more interactive things – like eating out at a restaurant and using a computer. Most people I know are actually more likely to overeat if they’re passively being distracted by a T.V. or sat in a movie theater and captive audience to the Platonic puppets playing on the silver screen cave wall.
Plus, I feel like another factor is whether you’re alone and just eating your feelings.
We can see that, honey :/
If you’re a real foodie, even then the distractions aren’t quite as alluring.
For me and most people I know, if we’re just hanging out outside and eating, the meal always ends with something left on the plate. It doesn’t matter if we’re at a restaurant, the beach, or on the deck outside of our own abodes. The only “distraction” or “entertainment” is the comfort of the natural surroundings and the way food tastes different when there’s fresh air mixing in with it.
Hey! Maybe that’s why people get so effing fat in winter – because it’s so shitty outside and there’s nothing real to take comfort in. So we sit on the couch stuffing our faces with spiced up grub like birds voluntarily prepping for our final form as foie gras.
Then by spring, we’re too addicted to the seasonings to appreciate real food’s taste.
Who knows? It’s all supposition. Even science constantly contradicts itself on this. And -… wait are you still looking at that force-fed goose being tortured up above? Ah, you are. That’s alright. After all, distraction’s good for mindful eating, right?
Bon appetit!