说到正餐，您都会如何让它们变得与众不同呢？我们敢说如果问起您两天前午餐吃了什么，您很可能已经记不起来。或许中午加班工作，所以就在办公桌上随便吃点东西解决，或者从冰箱里拿出一些剩菜简单打发一餐。或者刚好正聚精会神看着自己最喜欢的电视节目，根本就没注意自己吃了哪些食物。另一方面，如果请您回想最近吃过的一顿特别的正餐，还不是节庆或生日大餐，只是一顿所谓的“好料”而已，您或许还可以钜细靡遗地描述吃了什么东西吧。而让这顿饭难以忘怀的不只是食物而已，还包括一些让这餐更特别，也更令人满足的小细节。
让一餐变得更难忘
所以除了食物外，还有什么能够让某一餐变得更难忘呢？或许是一起用餐的对象。或许没有狼吞虎咽，而是一边聊天一边慢慢吃。或许是食物摆盘的方式与众不同，或者是闪亮的银制餐具，还是冰水里的那一片柠檬。也可能是播放的美妙爵士音乐，或是浪漫的烛光、干净的桌布，亦或者是烤鱼旁边摆的那一片新鲜翠绿的罗勒叶。
吃饭时是会用到所有的感官。当一盘食物看起来赏心悦目、闻起来香气诱人，味道和口感又多元丰富时，当然会特别引起注意。我们通常会认为这些食物不只吃起来美味可口，也更容易让人感到饱足。如果饮食习惯变得太过规律，每餐的内容也一成不变时，很可能会出现一些隐忧。希望能获得更多满足感的过程中，您可能会发现自己吃得更多，但是享受的程度却更低。
所以为什么不试着让每一餐都变得更加特别一些呢？
不需要花费太多的力气。只要把电视关掉，用悠扬的音乐取代。铺一张桌布，搭配餐巾，或许再点一两根的蜡烛。晚上吃剩菜也无所谓，可以试着将剩菜放在盘子里享用，不要直接从塑胶容器中取用。然后试着加上一点装饰。在营养蛋白奶昔上加一颗熟透的红色草莓会让任何人的心情都变得更加愉快。在烤鸡或烤鱼上洒一些新鲜的碎荷兰芹也能让平凡的一道菜肴增色不少。
作者：苏珊·鲍尔曼 Susan Bowerman
M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D.
加州大学洛杉矶分校人类营养中心副主任
运动营养学专家、康宝莱营养咨询委员会成员
Make Your Meals Special
When it comes to your meals, what do you do to make them special? I’ll bet if I asked you what you ate for lunch two days ago, chances are pretty good that you can’t remember. Maybe you worked through lunch and ate at your desk, or picked at some leftovers from the refrigerator. Or you were so caught up in your favorite television show, that you scarcely noticed what was on your plate. On the other hand, if I asked you to recall a special meal you’ve had lately – not even a holiday or birthday meal, just what you’d call a ‘nice meal’ – you can probably recall that meal in great detail. And it’s likely that it was more than just the food that made that meal memorable. It’s the little things, too, that make meals more special – and, more satisfying.
So, aside from the food, what makes a meal memorable? Maybe it was your dining companions. Maybe, instead of shoveling it down, you lingered and talked over a meal. Maybe it was the way the food was presented on the plate, or the shiny silverware, or the slice of lemon in your ice water. Or it could have been the cool jazz playing, or the candlelight, the crisp linens or the sprig of fresh green basil nestled next to the grilled fish.
All our senses are involved when we eat. When a plate of food is appealing to the eye, has a wonderful aroma, and a variety of flavors and textures, we take note. And we usually rate those meals as not only more pleasant – but more satisfying, too.
If your eating has become routine – and your meals look the same, day after day – that could spell trouble. In an attempt to get more satisfied, you may find yourself eating more, but enjoying it less.
So why not try making meals little more special?
It doesn’t take much. Turn off the television and listen to some music. Throw a tablecloth on the table, grab a cloth napkin and maybe light a candle or two. Having leftovers? Try putting them on a plate – rather than eating them out of a plastic container.
And try a little accessorizing. A ripe red strawberry on top of a protein shake would brighten anyone’s day; a shower of fresh chopped parsley on top of your grilled chicken or fish takes it from drab to delightful.
So, aside from the food, what makes a meal memorable? Maybe it was your dining companions. Maybe, instead of shoveling it down, you lingered and talked over a meal. Maybe it was the way the food was presented on the plate, or the shiny silverware, or the slice of lemon in your ice water. Or it could have been the cool jazz playing, or the candlelight, the crisp linens or the sprig of fresh green basil nestled next to the grilled fish.
All our senses are involved when we eat. When a plate of food is appealing to the eye, has a wonderful aroma, and a variety of flavors and textures, we take note. And we usually rate those meals as not only more pleasant – but more satisfying, too.
If your eating has become routine – and your meals look the same, day after day – that could spell trouble. In an attempt to get more satisfied, you may find yourself eating more, but enjoying it less.
So why not try making meals little more special?
It doesn’t take much. Turn off the television and listen to some music. Throw a tablecloth on the table, grab a cloth napkin and maybe light a candle or two. Having leftovers? Try putting them on a plate – rather than eating them out of a plastic container.
And try a little accessorizing. A ripe red strawberry on top of a protein shake would brighten anyone’s day; a shower of fresh chopped parsley on top of your grilled chicken or fish takes it from drab to delightful.
Written by Susan Bowerman,
MS, RD, CSSD. Susan is a paid consultant for Herbalife.
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