What motivates our food choices?

How do you relate to food? Not such a silly question when you consider that obesity has doubled in the US over the past 30 years. Such stats would suggest that we have a very unhealthy relationship with food. And I would start by suggesting that how we relate to food has the greatest impact on our food choices.

In most parts of the world a balanced meal is represented by five major flavors: sour, bitter, pungent, sweet and salty. Guess what two flavors dominate the American mealplan: that's right, the latter two - sweet and salty. Our meals are formulated by the protein, fat, and carbohydrate contributions of each food, a practice that can get us in alot of trouble in reality.

If you're struggling with weight or another health issue, consider adding more ethnic foods to your regimen like Thai, Indian, Japanese, or Middle Eastern. It's definitely an acquired taste for some but once you're accustomed to it yoiu'll find that after these balanced meals you're not craving desert, coffee or alcohol. After all obesity and heart disease are hardly the big issue in the aforementioned cultures.

So step outside your comfort zone and try something new. You might find you like it and could become a new culinary and dining adventure for you! 

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Tags: health, nutrition, diet, meals, food, weight, balance, culture,