Rules for Proper Eating (Part 2)

In the previous section, we discussed the existence of rules for eating. Just as every electrical device comes with instructions, the way humans eat also has rules that should be followed. Here, I would like to add a few more guidelines to help us gain the greatest benefit from our food.

Small, more frequent meals:
Last week, we wrote that one should leave the table feeling slightly hungry, not completely full. Some may ask: if we leave the table hungry, won’t we want to eat again within two hours? The answer is that this is not necessarily true. There are situations in which eating every two to two-and-a-half hours is advisable, such as for people with diabetes or those who experience sudden drops in blood sugar that cause weakness or dizziness. These individuals need to eat more frequently in order to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

In addition, even people who wish to lose weight should eat small, frequent meals. Otherwise, they may experience intense hunger, which can lead to poor food choices such as junk food and sweets, ultimately causing them to fail in their efforts.

Drinking during meals:
It is best to avoid drinking during meals. Liquids dilute digestive juices and disrupt the digestion process. At most, one may sip a small amount of water to moisten the lips and mouth. A strong urge to drink during a meal usually indicates that the food is overly seasoned with salt or sugar. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid excessive seasoning. Becoming accustomed to the natural taste of food will also reduce the need to drink while eating.

Raw vegetables:
When I ask people whether they eat vegetables, I often receive answers such as, “Of course, I eat a lot of salads.” However, upon further inquiry, it often turns out that they eat cooked salads or salads with heavy seasoning, such as large amounts of salt, mayonnaise, and similar additions. Some also claim they eat salad only as a side dish to the main course.

The correct approach is to begin the meal with a serving of raw vegetables. Starting the meal this way has several benefits. First, it provides a significant amount of dietary fiber, which aids digestion. Second, it supplies essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Third, when a meal begins with a vegetable salad, the so-called “main” course is usually smaller and more balanced, leading to reduced consumption of heavy and fattening foods.