Regrets, I've Had a Few

I've come to realize there's a smart and effective way to react when temptation stares you down. And let's face it, temptation is going to be there no matter how strong, how committed you are to getting fit and healthy. It's just a fact of life--we're hard-wired to want things that give us instant gratification, and often the thing we want is food that's not necessarily good for us. But if we take a moment to look at that desire and examine it, we gain a little ground in overcoming it.

When those crunchy chips or a little something sweet after dinner that isn't fruit or the leftover fries on my daughter's plate are beckoning me, I try to remember to stop and ask myself, "Will I regret eating them, or will I regret not eating them?" Which wins out? Usually I'll regret eating them more than not eating them. And when I'm faced with that reality, it's easier to make the right choice. Sure, those temptations will taste great, but how will I feel afterward? We all know how that feels.

Now, this approach may not apply to that one-of-a-kind meal or dish that you've never tried and were always curious about. And you may find that you'll regret NOT eating it more than eating it. In those cases, I say go for it (keeping portion control in mind, of course, if you can!). But really, how often does it happen that you're faced with something that unique? Unless you're traveling in a foreign country, probably not that often. The rest of the time, try asking yourself the "regrets" question. You may be surprised by your answer.

Could You Use a Little Deception in Your Diet?

Friends visited us over July 4th weekend and brought me a very interesting hostess gift: "Deceptively Delicious." For the uninitiated, this is the book by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of Jerry) where she touts the benefits of adding pureed veggies, fruits and even meats that kids won't eat to recipes they like. Kids don't detect the additions, and yet they get the nutritional benefits of eating those foods. Everyone's happy.

I have to admit that I was skeptical about the concept when I first heard of it a few years ago. I wanted my kids to learn to like these foods, not to be fooled into eating them unwittingly. I didn't like the idea of deceiving them. But the truth was, no matter how many times I introduced my elder daughter to butternut squash, carrots, red peppers and beets, she simply wouldn't eat them. How is that a win?

Having the book in hand, I read it cover to cover. Then I began to buy the dreaded produce, cook it and puree it. Finally, I made a recipe or two. While the sloppy joes with sweet potato and red pepper purees were a hit, my daughter wasn't so crazy about the creamy potato soup (even though the rest of the family were). Still, I'm ready to continue experimenting. What do I have to lose?

What keeps me wanting to stay this course is the idea that it certainly couldn't hurt ANY of us to sneak a few extra fruits and veggies into our meals. Even if my daughter eats only a few bites, that's a few bites of veggie-filled foods that she wouldn't otherwise have eaten, and the rest of us get to enjoy it, too. Since produce in just about any form (except for deep-fried or drenched in butter, cheese or cream sauce) is healthful, tossing a little yellow-squash puree into the buttered noodles is a good trick for everyone--even those who are in on the deception.

So read the book if you're interested, or just try adding a few extra handfuls of those all-important plant foods to your regular meals. Your body will thank you for it.