This afternoon I was slicing cheese* and suddenly noticed that I’d mindlessly popped two slices in my mouth. The good news is I’ve mastered a new habit of cutting much smaller, thinner slices so the damage wasn’t too severe. Funny, though, isn’t it, how one can unintentionally eat extras?
After today’s cheese incident I wondered how much extra food, over the years, went in my mouth without a thought. Like when I’d cut a little extra sliver of pie or cheesecake to make the line straight. Or how about when I would finish my kidlet’s leftover fries or burger? Back in my pre-Coby days I remember being at a Weight Watchers meeting and some moms were talking about how they finish food from their kids’ plates and I thought...GROSS!! But there I was, a few years later, doing the same darn thing. What the heck is up with that? Moms, do we all do this? Last month I cut it out. Now as soon as he is finished I immediately, methodically take his plate and chuck his leftovers the trash. The sooner they are out of my sight, the better.
I thought I had done away with mindless nibbling until today’s cheese episode. I’m not hung up on it, but it did give me reason to think. I suppose that’s a good thing.
*Note: Cheese is my biggest RED LIGHT food. "Red Lights" are what I call the few food items that are really hard for me to resist. Cheese is #1. I could easily eat a whole brick of it. No, I’m not kidding. Old Cheddar and Gouda are my two favourites. There is a lovely farm just south of the city, Thunder Oak Cheese Farm, where they make the best Gouda I’ve tasted outside of The Netherlands. When you visit the farm you can try free samples. FREE SAMPLES!!! Soooo hard to resist, yet I’ve tried every type of Gouda they make (many, many times) so I don’t really need to try the free samples anymore. Right? I wonder: can I go and not nibble the samples? Yes, I think I can. I’ll give it a try soon and let you know.
What are your Red Light foods?
What are your Red Light foods?
I once heard an interview from some celebrity, can't remember who now.. but she said when she cooks dinner she chews on gum. It keeps her from "testing" all the food. She realized by the time she was done cooking she was full because of all her "testing" but would still eat anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and I have done this in the past. I recommend that if you try it don't use mint, keep it basic like just regular bubble gum because chewing mint gum then eating dinner, it doesn't always go. Like brushing your teeth and then a glass of orange juice! =)
Ps: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cheese too... oh my goodnes, it is the best!!!
I've never heard that before! (The chewing gum while cooking) Really great idea and I'm totally going to try it! (Especially when baking!)
ReplyDeleteI gotta say, cheese is a biggie for me too! And it's way to easy to eat more than I should!!!
ReplyDeleteI must say that I never got into the habit of nibbling while cooking. I most likely got that from my mother. Growing up we didn't have a lot of money so when cooking my mother just made the meals and never nibbled...couldn't afford to take even a bite of food from the family. I'm sure glad I took after her in that respect. But now give me a bag of my favorite chips...watch out. So I have to really take hold and say no...just a few.
ReplyDeleteI use the gum trick when I'm out shopping. When I feel those hunger pangs starting I pop a piece in and chew away. Keeps me from stopping along at a fast food place and holds me over until I get home.
Chewing gum works like a charm for me too. Whats my Code Red? Anything sweet. anything. Pastries, cream, cupcakes the list goes on. Which is why I try really hard not to have it in the house . Because I will keep going back, cutting off a tiny bit more so no one will notice. or a teaspoon to scoop another mouthful of buttercream.
ReplyDeleteThat's how, years ago, I started making weekly menus and grocery shopping accordingly. That way I could control why came into the house and therefor saving me from stuffing my face ad finitum :-)
Cheese is one of my mindless nibbling red lights as well. Even though I am mostly a sugar addict my palate does not discriminate against the things I pop in because they are there. I have totally finished things off of my kids plates and thought it was gross while doing it. At least you caught yourself before it was the whole brick of cheese.
ReplyDeleteCheese is one of my mindless nibbles as well as grabbing a couple of pieces of candy from the dish that I leave out for company and the kids. I tell myself on little tootsie roll won't hurt. But it does, as it transfers from one roll in the dish, to the one around my waist that I didn't have two years ago.
ReplyDelete*This is Dawn Coe by the way, posting as anonymous until I figure out how to use my own name. Have been catching up and loving what I am reading!