I used to think that thin people had lots of willpower. Then, I read that thin people generally set up their food and eating so that willpower isn’t really involved. It sounded a bit unlikely – who eats the same thing every day just to stay thin? But it turned out that is a thing some thin people do. Who picks dinner based on what day of the week it is? Why, some thin people do it that way. Who goes to a restaurant, orders a meal, eats a few bites, and then leaves all the rest on their plate and goes home??? Actually, I have seen thin people do that. Being provident isn’t necessarily something they value. Eating a variety of foods – not something they necessarily value. Being thin is what they value. You an be quite shallow, and thin. Willpower and virtue are not necessary.
It takes sacrifice and it takes work, to get thin and stay thin. I don’t sacrifice variety, but I spend a lot of effort and time to maximize my food enjoyment. See what I value?
My food intake and calorie count
Breakfast – toasted ham and cheese sandwich: toast (150); 2 ounces ham (90); 1.5 pieces Swiss cheese (80), pickles, mustard, and horseradish sauce (10);
- 330 calories
Lunch – Roasted pork loin wraps, with roasted apples and cucumber salad: pork loin (250); whole wheat wrap (110); cucumber salad (40);
- 400 calories
Dinner – 1/4 Spanish tortilla (530); mayonnaise (100)
- 630 calories
Snacking – tea with half and half (120); Kirkland tea cookies (210); chicken strips (200);
- 530 calories
Total for the day: 1890 calories (limit 1800)
Whoops!
Darn it, when I was eating, I forgot that really good mayonnaise like Duke’s is 100 calories per tablespoon. That threw off my calculations for the day a little. What makes mayonnaise good? Besides the taste, it’s because the listed ingredients in Duke’s are oil and eggs, then water and vinegar. A bad mayonnaise has water as the first ingredient. And a list that goes: oil, water, eggs… is only slightly better. (Remember that ingredients are always listed in order of % weight in the final product.) Mayonnaise is the best condiment with Spanish tortilla, which I had for dinner (and makes a great breakfast and lunch for the rest of the week).
Spanish tortilla comes from the word for tortoise. I used to think tortillas referred to those shells made from wheat or corn flour, but it turns out that any round food from a Spanish speaking country can be called tortilla, or torta, or various other forms of the word for tortoise. In this case, Spanish tortilla is a large, round omelette with just a few ingredients: 10 eggs, 1 pound of potatoes, 1/2 cup of olive oil, a small onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. That’s it. Then again, the recipe does use a lot of olive oil. Those of you good at math may be saying “hey, that’s almost 1000 calories in olive oil!”, and they would be right.
Basically, every water molecule in the onions and potatoes is replaced with olive oil by frying for 10 minutes (medium heat, covered). The beaten eggs, salt and pepper are then added to the oil, potatoes, and onions and stirred in for a moment, which makes the the dish very rich and savory. It’s finished in a 450 degree oven for 9-10 minutes. The whole thing is about 2120 calories and I have 1/4 for dinner. It’s also amazingly easy to prepare, very savory and delicious, and can be served hot or room temperature, as appetizer or main course. And breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I can’t say enough about it! You can even make wrap sandwiches out of it with mayonnaise and Tabasco.
I have a lot of enthusiasm for my favorite dishes and the things I cook. Recognizing that, I have used that excitement for weight control. The anticipation, preparation, and cooking, all dramatize the fact that I am rewarding myself with something worthwhile. Each meal can be a reward, and in my system, almost has to be. Making do, eating leftovers you don’t like, travel food….part of me gets resentful and switches to satisfaction through quantity. That part seems to really be in charge, if it’s not kept happy.
Make a bargain with yourself. Diet by eating what you want, but count the calories. Make sure what you are eating thrills and satisfies you. The different parts of your being will notice that they are loved, and then you can have the most wonderful feeling of all – all of your different wants and desires working together.
Aim for that. What could be better?
-The Doctor