Buffets are funny places. There’s more than enough food and plenty of choices available. You’re definitely getting enough “bang for your buck” as they say, but at what cost to your waistline and your health? We know that we have to eat to function properly, but what exactly determines how much we eat? I can guarantee a second and third trip to the dessert station is not necessary.
The reason behind your eating choices and habits is more important than you might think. According to a pamphlet distributed by the Division of Nutrition Research Coordination of the National Institutes of Health, there are only three reasons that we eat. First, we eat to satisfy hunger. The last two are both the result of external stimuli, or “triggers” if you must. They can be categorized as environmental and emotional. Knowing about the types of triggers doesn’t help you unless you can see how they coincide with your diet decisions.
One idea that the pamphlet lays out is to keep a food diary for a few days. A real highlight of this pamphlet is the amount of examples given. When discussing the different types of stimuli, there are at least 5 ideas of what to do when that type of trigger occurs so that you can have the opportunity to make a better choice and to be more in control of your life.
The pamphlet also offers a balance between learning how to identify your triggers and what to focus on when it comes to food selection. Keeping these food related goals simple and listing the basics as to what would qualify for each, gives the reader ideas of what to look for when selecting food. When it comes to food selection and health there is a lot you can be detailed with as a dietitian, but it really is the take home points and the big picture that impacts readers the most.
Overall, the pamphlet wordy but it’s an easy read. Its jam packed with some really good tips and tricks that break up all the information. While the main colors (green and yellow) are not the most attractive combination, they work well together. The pictures tie in well and add great color. This brochure is most definitely geared toward young adults and older for it to be effective. With all of the real-world examples, it appeals to the person who is ready to make a change in their life.
There are three keys to a healthy diet: balance, variety, and moderation. So next time you’re at a buffet, remember, you don’t really need that extra serving of ice cream on top of your pie.
If you want to learn more about your triggers and ideas to help you control them, you can view the brochure in its entirety, here.