You must read Slim By Design & Giveaway

Whenever I am asked food or nutrition books I recommend, Mindless Eating tops my list. So when I learned that Brian Wansink has a second book out, called Slim by Design I couldn’t wait to read it. That’s actually an understatement, I felt like a groupie who had to get their hands on that brand new album. The premise of this book and much of Wansink’s research is that our environment (think kitchens, offices etc.) influences the way we eat. From the opening lines of the book “becoming slim by design works better than trying to become slim by willpower. It’s easier to change your eating environment that to change your mind.” And the book is a page-turner (what, you don’t think that’s possible with a book about eating?) there’s humor and anecdotes, my family was making fun of me because I couldn’t put it down.

Some of my favorite lessons were:

• In buffet situations slim dinners scan all the options first, seat themselves as far away from the food as possible and do not face toward the food. Think about this the next time you’re in a cafeteria, food court or holiday (ahem) situation

• It’s probably not ideal to change too many things about your eating at once.  People most successful losing weight focused on a couple of changes but followed through on these at least 25 days a month. 

• Clear counter clutter, all food, except for fruit, should live behind closed doors. The most dangerous counter food? Cold cereal (which is also an LBT break up food).  If you haven’t broken up, you should know that women who have cold cereal visible in their kitchens weight 21 pounds more than those who do not.

• As far as the dinner table the only serving bowl that should strategically stay on the table is the salad bowl. The others should stay on the stove or counter top so access isn’t as easy.

 

• Wansink explains that the size of your dinner plates influence what you eat. The ideal size is 9 to 10 inches (or less). My son and I took a ruler to our plate, 11 inches. That night, we used salad plates for dinner. We had Indian food (my son who measured the plates joked that with a small plate he had much more of a mess) but I noticed there was more food left over.

• When you’re at the supermarket try the “half-cart” rule. Put your purse or jacket at the midline of the cart. One half of the cart should be produce and the other can be dry goods. And another trick, chewing gum short circuits cravings because we can’t imagine the “sensory details of crunchy chips or creamy ice cream.” I’m not a gum fan, wondering if a mint will work as well or if it’s the chewing action?

There are sections on cafeteria eating that I felt applied more to organizations than individuals but I could list a couple dozen other tips I jotted down while reading.

And the best news? Slim by Design has a signed copy of the book for one lucky reader.

To be eligible for the giveaway, by Sunday 11/16

Comment below

Tweet @Foodtrainers has a @slimbydesign #giveaway http://foodtrainers.blogspot.com/2014/11/you-must-read-slim-by-design-and.html

What are your favorite nutrition books? Are you familiar with Mindless eating? Anything except for fruit on your countertop?

Next Chapter

Last week my friend’s husband came to retrieve his son from our apartment. The boys had been at the Ranger game. As M’s friend was lacing up his high tops (who said boys’ gear was easier?) friend’s husband, who works with my best friend, asked if I had spoken to her. “Well I guess she’s away right now, where is she away?”  He was asking about someone very dear to me but I shook my head and said, “I didn’t know she was away but I don’t really know much that’s happening.” I could see his confusion, actually I think he thought I had lost my mind but there’s a legit excuse you see my theme song for months and months has been.

Everyday

Everyday

Everyday I write the book.

Everyday

Everyday

Everyday

Everyday I write the book...
(love this song but enough already)

I know some people write for a living and churn out book after book. Other experts, who are more intelligent than I am, use ghostwriters to reduce time spent. Not me, I thought it would be “fun” to write a book. Which means weekends were spent here

Writing or oftentimes looking out the window at this

The irony of writing a book with strategies for every food scenario while being scenario-less.

But today, my theme song will change (not sure to what) but my outfit of sweatpants, slippers and a cardigan (the unappealing mental image this conjures up isn't as heinous as the real ms) will change to this

better color in person think more raspberry less cha cha, I promise

It’s a good thing I have a drastic chapter in the book.

And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I finished the book on her birthday, Mrs Fearless would've been 42 this week.

Still hard to believe but look what you and Dave accomplished.

The Little Book of Thin is a fear facing moment. I’m rarely proud of myself and this could be a complete flop but I wrote it.  And now I think I want to write another one (and have an idea) but when I shared it with my support crew. My son who is 11 (tomorrow) said, “wait a minute does this mean you’re going to be inside and mean for another year?” Hmn

I will be back with more consistent blog posts in April (email me any topic suggestions or requests). Thank you for sticking with me. In the meantime, excited to read a book, book.

What are the best books you’ve read lately? What are your favorite nutrition or food books and why? Can you name that tune I quoted above?