What Is ‘Normal’ Eating?
By Tara Parker-Pope
Do the foods you choose define what it means to be a “normal” eater?
Today, the mental health site PsychCentral.com asks an interesting question: What does it mean to eat “normally?”
Given that 60 percent of the population is overweight, our view of normal eating has changed over the years. For some eaters, “normal” means eating fast food on a regular basis. For others, “normal” means regular failed efforts at calorie restriction in an endless cycle of yo-yo dieting.
The article cites a broad definition of normal eating by registered dietitian Ellyn Satter. Here are some of the highlights:
- Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.
- Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
- It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.
- Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
- Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life
The PsychCentral post offers a lengthy exploration of what it means to eat normally.
So what do you think of Ms. Satter’s definitions of normal eating? And how do you define eating normally?
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