By Kimberly King
Guest Writer
Over dinner a few nights ago, the girls and I began a discussion about normal eating. What is normal eating? Some people follow restrictive diets that determine what is “healthy,” and others will eat anything in sight. What is the right way? I decided that I would pose that question to our on-campus expert, Marianne Robertson, M.S., R.D. She offered this advice.
“The key to normal healthy eating is to eat when hungry and stop when full. Eating when hungry and stopping when full is a sure way to eat to energy balance (taking in as many calories as we expend) as well as not to get into any form of disordered eating. Remember that your hunger is simply the body’s request for food. It doesn’t mean that when you eat you are going to get fat.” Eat to fuel your body, but don’t treat eating like a chore.
Food is an integral part of human society. We have times during the year when we use food to celebrate occasions. Sometimes this involves eating huge meals, and sometimes it involves skimping on food. This is also normal eating. Food is a wonderland for your taste buds, so don’t deny them.
Take time to enjoy the sensations of eating. Don’t simply grab your food and sprint to class. I know, I have to do it too, especially when I have essays and books to finish. I enjoy food so much more when I can focus on my meal rather than shove it down in haphazard mouthfuls between classes.
Don’t forget that normal eating is eating until you are satisfied. It is being able to eat the foods that you like to eat. It is about giving your food enough thought so that it has variety and offers nutrition, but not so much thought that it is restrictive. It is about appreciating life. The E in eating is for enjoyment, after all.
Think About It
If you think you’re hungry, ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you hungry?
2. What are you hungry for?
3. If it’s physical hunger, do you want crunchy, sweet, salty, sour, wet or dry food?
If it’s emotional hunger, what are you feeling? Are you angry, happy, lonely, scared, nervous, overwhelmed or tired?
4. If you don’t know what type of food you want, are you thirsty? Then find something to quench that craving.
Or, after you identify your emotion, ask, will the food help? What can I do instead?
Go for a walk or seek out a friend for help and support.
— Questions about healthy eating? E-mail Kimberly King, the public relations officer for the Student Dietic Association, at kimberly.r.king@pepperdine.edu.
February 20, 2003
