Share a Meal (Like Water for Chocolate)

Every year, we vow to start eating healthier - and yet, it’s so hard to make real change happen!

Perhaps, if we adjusted our thinking and looked at the big picture, it would be easier to make lasting changes. We focus so much on the nutrient content and amount of food - but rarely think about who prepares our meals and where we eat them. We need to alter how we feed and nurture ourselves - counting calories is just a small part of real change.

Studies show that we are more likely to make lasting changes to our diet when we have the support of others. And yet, we (me included) often end up eating the majority of our meals in front of a computer, on the road, or standing up in the kitchen late at night.

My recommendation is to Share a Meal with others - it may be better for your health than you’d expect. The French are known for sitting for hours and enjoying the company of others while eating a high-fat meal but are still healthier than Americans. Maybe it’s not just the wine….

There is an extraordinary study from an Ohio university where rabbits that were held and petted while being fed fatty diets had less heart disease symptoms than rabbits who weren’t touched during meal time.

Certainly, we need to consider how much we are consuming and the type of food we eat - where it’s grown and if it’s organic and seasonal. However, I also think that in order to regain our health, we need to reconnect with the tradition of eating with others.

You’ll be so busy chatting and enjoying yourself that you’ll automatically eat slower and follow all of those diet tips you’ve been reading about….and better yet - it’s free and the best kind of entertainment. For inspiration, rent the movie, Like Water for Chocolate.

Here are some ideas on how to integrate meal sharing into your busy life:

Create a rotating dinner party schedule with your friends. My friend in Portland has a group of friends and they each take turns hosting a Friday night dinner once a month. They discover new recipes, share each other’s company, and their kids have a chance to play together – the ultimate way to create a sense of community.

Commit to sharing meals with your family. If you aren’t close to your family or live far away from them, find other friends who are in the same boat and ask them over for meals to create your own “family” tradition. Invite elderly neighbors and single friends over - they’ll be thrilled to join you for a meal.

Host a potluck or brunch. A lot of people aren’t comfortable enough in the kitchen to throw a dinner party on their own. Brunch is an easy meal to prepare and you have all weekend to get ready for it. Or just have each guest bring a dish for dinner or a picnic and then you won’t have to do any cooking at all!

Eat with your co-workers. Many of your co-workers are just as worried about saving money and their health as you are. So, make a deal with them to start bringing leftovers for lunch and finding a relaxing space to eat together. If you’re worried about looking like a slacker, make a point of telling your boss how much more productive you are after you’ve had a solid meal or better yet, invite your boss to lunch with you.