To Eat Human: #3 in a series about eating food in a habitually healthy way
gastronomy: the art or science of good eating
Where do we eat?
Ever since we stopped chewing plants for 13 hours a day, we’ve found some time on our hands. Opposable thumbs and all. And what have we done with that time? Lots of good. But considerable bad. Judgmental, I know. But I judge. It’s a hobby.
On the good side, we “discovered” fire and the resultant protein-rich cooked meat which led to our huge brains! Then we started killing each other. So there’s that.
The first of us followed fire and found food. Cooked meat, to be precise. The epoch of BBQ began. As we (we = all of us humans) consumed the most protein ever, it grew not only our brains - it created culture, civilization, and commerce.
Since forever, some people don’t like, want, or are inclined to cook. That’s not me. The first phenomenon of fire brought us together, creating cosmopolitan capitalism, cooking as commodity, helping to heal, and forging the Fourth Space currently claimed by coffee chains.
But we must eat. After three decades (yikes-that long) in the service of food, the desire to delight transformed me over time. I believe that we eat for one reason: to live. But I also believe that we over-eat or under-eat for myriad reasons. Many complicated and intertwined situations and circumstances put food into our mouths. Refrigerator Rendezvous for you? Over Truffles at midnight? Shame-eating or forced-fasting? Secret snacks and second meals? I get it.
I imagine it didn’t take long for the more industrious among us of the early hunter-gatherers to determine that staying at the village to prepare fires and feasts was inherently more conducive to staying alive than chasing down wild beasts. I’m seeing myself in that role. Plus, that’s where all the chicks were.
We know that Inns have existed since Biblical times, as they are mentioned many times, using different words to indicate the level of hospitality - not unlike hostel, hotel, and motel are used today.
My favorite depiction for Innkeepers is found in the Mishnah, which held Inns and Innkeepers in ill repute, describing them thusly
A consistent point, however, in the Mishnaic references is the bad reputation of the public inn. Inns and innkeepers were not held in high esteem, at least by the rabbis formulating Mishnaic law. The Mishnah places innkeepers on the lowest scale of degradation and states that “Cattle may not be left in the inns of the gentiles since they are suspected of bestiality” (m. Abodah Zarah, 2.1). In addition the Mishnah states that the word of an innkeeper is to be doubted: “The Sages said to Rabbi Akiba, ‘And should not a priest’s wife be [deemed as trustworthy] as the mistress of an inn?’ He answered, ‘only when the mistress of the inn could be deemed trustworthy!’”
Filthy Innkeepers! Let’s figure out the next evolution of food service - the Tavern. It’s heyday lasted about 450 years, from the 1300s until the first “restaurant” appeared in Paris in the late 1700s.
Now known ubiquitously as the local pub, this establishment has served the cause of freedom throughout its history. I mean, let’s have one more for the road before we go crusading!
Inns also served military purposes; one of the oldest dating from 1189 AD is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, and is said to have acted as a recruitment centre for volunteers to accompany King Richard I (The Lionheart) on his crusade to the Holy Lands.
Lest we consider our current consumption to be high, or that we have too many watering holes, let’s jump into the way-back machine to do some learnin.
By 1577 it is estimated that there were some 17,000 alehouses, 2,000 inns and 400 taverns throughout England and Wales. Taking into account the population of the period, that would equate to around one pub for every 200 persons. To put that into context, that same ratio today would be approximately one pub for every 1,000 persons …Happy Daze!
So that all leads up to the French Revolution and the advent of the modern restaurant. Realizing not only the irony, but the inherent danger, in Marie Antoinette’s “Let them eat cake” dismissal of her starving peasants, those royal chefs and bakers fled the aristocracy and quickly turned to another business model.
The philosopher Denis Diderot mentions the restaurant as early as 1767 in a letter to his correspondent and lover, Sophie Volland:
“If I have acquired a taste for the restorer? Really yes; an infinite taste. The service is good, a little expensive, but at the time you want . . . . It is wonderful, and it seems to me that everyone praises it.”
What does restaurant mean? Originally, it was almost medicinal, which makes sense since the food one ingests affects every cell in the body. Uh, that’s kinda the point of this whole series.
The word restaurant comes from the French verb restaurer, “to restore oneself,” and the first true French restaurants, opened decades before the 1789 Revolution, purported to be health-food shops selling one principle dish: bouillon. The French description for this type of slow-simmered bone broth or consommé is a bouillon restaurant or “restorative broth.”
THE FIRST RESTAURANT
The first restaurant as we know it today opened in Paris in 1765 on the Rue des Poulies, today the Rue du Louvre. On the front of the shop is engraved the Latin phrase from the Bible:
“Venite ad me omnes qui stomacho laboratis, et ego vos restaurabo.”
This translates as, “Come to me, those whose stomachs ache, and I will restore you.”
Let’s look at options going forward
In an effort to provide the most meaningful and comprehensive information that you can use to make decisions about your eating, health, and wellness, I asked the Robot to explain the different plans: diets - i.e., lifestyle approaches to eating; and DIETs - those plans you pay for to make you eat what you can’t do on your own.
Plus, I enjoy making the Robots feel needed and liked. It’s a long-range plan, culling favor with the Robots this early on, but the payoff will be huge. You watch.
Let me know your thoughts about this series, about how and what you eat, or if you have any questions about eating.
The top 5 lifestyle eating plans
Sure, here's a comparison of the top 5 popular diets based on flavor, ease, cost, and success:
Mediterranean Diet:
Flavor: The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil, offering a wide range of flavors from fresh produce and herbs.
Ease: It's relatively easy to follow, as it doesn't restrict entire food groups and focuses on incorporating fresh, whole foods into meals.
Cost: While incorporating fresh produce and olive oil might be slightly more expensive than processed foods, overall, it's considered moderately affordable.
Success: Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is associated with numerous health benefits, including weight loss, improved heart health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension):
Flavor: The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, offering a variety of flavors from different food groups.
Ease: It's relatively easy to follow, as it focuses on portion control and encourages the consumption of nutrient-dense foods.
Cost: The DASH diet can be affordable, as it includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but lean proteins might be slightly more expensive.
Success: The DASH diet is effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. It's also associated with weight loss and improved overall health.
Keto Diet (Ketogenic Diet):
Flavor: The keto diet primarily consists of high-fat foods like meats, fish, nuts, and healthy oils, which can provide rich, savory flavors. However, it restricts carbohydrates, which may limit the variety of flavors.
Ease: It can be challenging to follow initially due to strict carbohydrate restrictions, leading to the elimination of many foods.
Cost: The cost of the keto diet can vary depending on the types of fats and proteins chosen, but it may be more expensive due to the emphasis on high-quality meats and fats.
Success: The keto diet is effective for weight loss and has shown benefits for managing certain medical conditions like epilepsy and type 2 diabetes, but long-term adherence can be difficult.
Paleo Diet:
Flavor: The Paleo diet focuses on whole foods like meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, offering a variety of natural flavors.
Ease: It can be relatively easy to follow, as it emphasizes unprocessed foods and eliminates processed foods, grains, and dairy.
Cost: The Paleo diet may be more expensive due to the emphasis on high-quality meats, organic produce, and nuts/seeds.
Success: Some studies suggest that the Paleo diet can lead to weight loss and improved metabolic health, but long-term sustainability may be challenging for some individuals.
Intermittent Fasting:
Flavor: Intermittent fasting doesn't dictate specific food choices, so flavor largely depends on the individual's preferred diet during eating windows.
Ease: It can be relatively easy to follow once adapted, as it doesn't require specific food restrictions but rather focuses on when to eat.
Cost: Intermittent fasting doesn't inherently affect the cost of food, as it doesn't dictate specific food choices.
Success: Intermittent fasting has been shown to aid weight loss, improve metabolic health, and offer potential benefits for longevity, but individual results may vary.
Each diet has its own set of pros and cons, and the best choice depends on individual preferences, goals, and health considerations. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before starting any new diet plan.
The top 5 pay-for eating plans
Sure, let's compare the GoLo, Weight Watchers, Noom, and Nutrisystem diets based on various factors:
GoLo Diet:
Flavor: The GoLo Diet focuses on whole foods with a low glycemic index, which can include lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. While it may offer some variety in flavors, it might be restrictive compared to other diets.
Ease: It's relatively straightforward to follow, as it emphasizes low-glycemic foods and portion control, but it might require more meal planning and monitoring.
Cost: The cost can vary depending on the specific meal plans and whether supplements or other products are included, but it may be moderate to high compared to other diets.
Success: Some individuals may find success with the GoLo Diet for weight loss and improved blood sugar control, especially if they have diabetes or insulin resistance.
Weight Watchers (now known as WW):
Flavor: Weight Watchers doesn't restrict specific foods but assigns point values to foods based on their nutritional content. This allows for flexibility in food choices and flavors.
Ease: Weight Watchers offers a structured program with points tracking and support through meetings or online platforms, making it relatively easy to follow for those who enjoy tracking.
Cost: The cost can vary based on the chosen plan (in-person meetings, online-only, etc.), but it typically involves a monthly subscription fee. Grocery costs may increase due to the emphasis on healthier food choices.
Success: Weight Watchers has a long history and has been shown to be effective for weight loss and weight maintenance for many individuals, especially with the support of its community and tracking system.
Noom:
Flavor: Noom focuses on promoting a balanced diet with an emphasis on whole, nutrient-dense foods. It encourages mindful eating and moderation, allowing for a variety of flavors.
Ease: Noom provides a mobile app with personalized coaching, tracking tools, and educational resources, making it convenient and accessible for many users.
Cost: Noom operates on a subscription-based model, which can be relatively affordable compared to some other programs. However, the cost may add up over time.
Success: Noom has gained popularity for its behavioral approach to weight loss, focusing on mindset and habit changes. Some users report successful weight loss and improved overall health with the program.
Flavor: Nutrisystem provides pre-packaged meals and snacks, offering a range of flavors and options. However, some individuals may find the variety limited or may not enjoy the taste of all the meals.
Ease: Nutrisystem offers a structured meal plan with pre-packaged meals and snacks delivered to your door, making it convenient and easy to follow.
Cost: The cost of Nutrisystem can be relatively high compared to buying groceries, as it involves purchasing pre-packaged meals and snacks. However, it may be comparable to eating out frequently.
Success: Nutrisystem has been shown to be effective for weight loss, especially in the short term, due to its portion-controlled meals and calorie restriction. However, long-term adherence may be challenging for some individuals.
Each of these diets has its own approach to weight loss and health, and the best choice depends on individual preferences, goals, and lifestyle. It's essential to consider factors such as food preferences, budget, and long-term sustainability when choosing a diet plan. Consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian can also provide personalized guidance and support.
What the Robot has laid out here is pretty straight-forward and doesn’t really take intelligence - artificial or man-made - to deduce a few obvious points.
Fresh Food is best. It just is. So make fresh-food the easiest thing in your kitchen to eat. Whole Fruit, nuts, veggies instead of chips or cookies.
Meat & Proteins are best in small portions. Meal prep chicken breasts, then make multiple meals using that lean meat. Have meatless or impossible days.
Olive & other oils are critical. NO TRANS-FAT in your food at all. Period. Put it back if it contains it. Use avocado, grapeseed, and others.
Rice Cooker or Multi-Pot is a mandatory kitchen tool. It literally makes eating healthy way more easy. Just get one and experiment.
DO NOT EAT AFTER 8 PM. Obviously, meant to be broken. But if you’re at home and eating regularly after 8 pm, you’re loading calories into your body that will lie in bed with you for hours.
And the NUMBER ONE RULE
Eat Intentionally. Know what you are shoving into your gob hole. This is all on you.
Well, here we are at the end of our time together. My hope, or rather, my goal here is to show you something instead of tell you something. Your body is yours. It doesn’t belong to the food industry. Or the marketing industry. Of even to the DIET industry.
Your body belongs to you. What are you doing with it?
With intentional love,
Ric
Here are two AI generated illustrations from the same prompt: depict a person dieting. Is this how you feel when you think of the word? Let’s change that.
Sage advice! Eating clean just feels better too, yaknow?