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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Are you there muffin top? It's me Minnie



Someone, please hold my hand. I am about to have my first ever snarky blogger moment. Granted, I did just get a rejection letter for a grant I really worked hard on, so that doesn't help. As I sit here looking at my growing muffin top, I am trying to mentally process this article on a food writer's secret to staying a size 2 in Bon Apetit.

Have they run out of compelling story ideas that involve real food? I mean come on, with lines like: "Ordering isn't a problem for me: I usually go for the tasting menu." Life at Bon Apetit must be good. Most of the food writers I know, including myself, can't afford the tasting menu, never mind the calories.

While I'm annoyed by self indulgent comments such as, "Blatner calls this habit of mine 'naturally slim behavior'," it's her self proclaimed "Tricks of the Trade" that bug me the most:

STOP EATING WHEN you're only two thirds full. It takes time for your brain to know that you're actually satisfied.

SHARE DESSERT. Dawn Jackson Blatner, a dietitian, has a three-fork rule: Make sure there are at least three forks for every one dessert.

ORDER A SALAD or a vegetable side dish with your meal, and eat it.

DON'T EAT ANYTHING on the plate that you don't like. Ever.

IF YOU REALLY WANT to order the ten-course tasting menu with wine pairings, go for it. But try to eat sensibly and exercise a little more the next day.


This blather is nothing new or revolutionary. You're better off reading French Women Don't Get Fat, at least it's entertaining. The lesson here is don't ever take dieting advice from a food writer. The good ones love food so much we don't have to make up such rules for ourselves, and if we gain a few pounds in the pursuit of a new taste we don't whine about it.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear Minnie!
Greetings!
I do commiserate!
Problem is the Missus applies this rule with me and I end up using the second and third fork!
I've benn and is still fighting the bulge for what 20, 30 years?
Oh well, like someone said, I go on a diet only to enjoy the next meal!
LOL
Great blog!
Looking forward to visiting again!
Cheers and all that,
Robert-Gilles