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Sunday, January 27, 2013

What is "lunchtime," anyway?

The concept of eating "three square meals" is largely cultural.  Our society has pattern-trained us to eat eggs in the morning, sandwiches at noon, and meat and potatoes in the evening.

Even though many health professionals recommend eating up to eight small meals a day, we are pressured and programmed by employers and families to eat rather ritualistically at certain times of the day.

Do me a favor.  Next time the lunch bell rings, whether at home or at the office, ask your stomach first if it's even hungry.  It will probably say yes, it's ready to accept a little food.  Maybe a hard-boiled egg.  Maybe an apple.  Definitely a few swigs of water.  But ask you gut if it wants a turkey, bacon and cheese sandwich, with a side of fries.  It will probably grumble back at you: "Not 'no,' but 'hell no!!'"  Oh, your mind can see it, smell it and taste it already.  Your mind wants it!  But your mind and your stomach are two very different entities.  And your stomach actually knows what's best for it...and the rest of your body machine.

Lunchtime in the breakroom
Opt for the egg (or some other comparable "real" food) and you'll feel tons better than if you ate the half-pound of grease, salt, starch and sweets that comprise typical lunches.  Eat when you are hungry, and not before.  You'll probably find yourself spending your "lunch hour" out shopping the sales on smaller-size clothing!

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