When I used to dish out advice to people about food preparation, it was evident that I didn’t cook. “Just bake and steam food,” I would say.
But then when I started to cook, that lean breast of chicken often turned out dry. Thighs, with a little more fat, produced a juicier meal. And no one wanted to eat those steamed veggies. But roasted veggies and tasty salads got devoured.
What I have learned is that the nutrition “shoulds” of cooking can get in the way of true food enjoyment. We all want to maximize nutrition, but if healthy meals aren’t satisfying, they won’t stand a chance. So here are some ways that I have learned to enjoy the best of both worlds:
1. Focus on balance over strict rules
I really love a good, balanced meal. I just think it’s sad to eat a sandwich by itself without a salad or fruit or soup (or even better, all four!).
In addition to serving a variety of food groups (fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, protein, etc.), I also consider food preparation. For example, the other night I made baked fish tacos and so I decided to pan-fry the corn tortillas. If I have one item really high in fat, the others will be low. This keeps meals from feeling too heavy except for special occasions like Thanksgiving.
2. Experiment but don’t settle
I often try reducing certain ingredients in recipes, or adding a healthful ingredient, to see what happens — maybe it’s less sugar in baked goods or flaxseed meal to a breading mix. Sometimes I love it and other times I realize it’s better with more sugar or without that superfood ingredient. Then I prioritize how it fits in the diet and then decide how often to serve it.
I also have a list of items I want to make from scratch “someday,” but don’t feel ready yet. While I make my own pasta sauce and salsa, I haven’t gotten around to making bread or yogurt. So in the meantime, I choose the best products I can find.
3. Fill the true craving
When we go out to eat breakfast, which isn’t often, the kids are already dreaming of having pancakes — they love restaurant pancakes. When they arrive, they have no interest in the fruit that is nearby. And I don’t try to get them to eat the fruit.
I have found that it’s better to honor the true craving than trying to cover it up with food that isn’t wanted at that particular time. Because when the craving isn’t filled, it tends to stick around and even grow (then I serve fruit for a snack that afternoon and they happily gobbled it up).
4. Focus on how food makes you feel
In my early years as an RD, my food choices were just about nutrition and health. So I deprived myself of cravings and eliminated certain foods l liked. But once I adopted a bigger picture view of eating, it all changed.
Food also became about lasting power. I mean, a salad for lunch is awesome but if I’m hungry an hour later, what’s the use? How satisfying and filling food is can be a very important part of how I choose what to eat. The ultimate in satisfaction, for me at least, is a nice balance of all the macronutrients — carbs, protein, and fat. Too much of any one thing throws it off.
5. Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy some more
Above all, food is enjoyed and celebrated in my house. In a recent study, it was found that people who felt guilty after eating chocolate cake gained more weight over 18 months than those who saw the decadent item as a celebration. The study authors said, “Enjoyment of food should receive more attention than it has in the past.”
Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures. And when it stops feeling that way it may be time for a change as Bhanta Gunaratana says so eloquently in the book: Mindfulness in Plain English:
“Make it reasonable. Make it fit with the rest of your life. And if it starts to feel like you’re on an uphill treadmill toward liberation, then change something.”
How do you keep nutrition from becoming a chore in your cooking endeavors?
- Try one of Maryann’s books, all sold on Amazon:
My Body’s Superpower: The Girls’ Guide to Growing Up Healthy During Puberty
From Picky to Powerful: The Mindset, Strategy, and Know-How You Need to Empower Your Picky Eater
The Family Dinner Solution: How to Create a Rotation of Dinners Meals Your Family Will Love
Excellent advice. ‘Honor the true craving’ will stay with me!
This reminds me of how I ditched salt altogether when I started weaning my daughter. While I know babies don’t need added salt and sugar in anything, now she is 3.5 I try to season food with a more ‘grown up’ regard for flavour. Obviously, I keep a close eye on her salt intake but I’ve stopped worrying about a sprinkling of sea salt if it will brighten an ingredient’s flavour and make the difference between something being eaten or not. My attempts at salt-free bread and pizza dough were not successful!
Your right. It’s all about finding that balance. And we need good tasting food. Sometimes you just have to learn through experimentation ; )