Last night I had a delicious meal at a very old restaurant that probably hasn't changed its menu for the last 30 years. It was a throwback to the old steakhouses of the late last century that I used to enjoy so much. I decided before I went what I wanted to eat and went with the sole amandine which came with all the "fixins" so to speak, like the tray of olives, cottage cheese and pickles to start along side the garlic bread. You only needed to have a main course because that came with a salad or soup, and a potato or rice dish. I went with the salad and really enjoyed the baked potato with a little butter, sour cream and bacon. So I was surprised this morning that I actually lost weight.
So when something like that happens, I have to analyze and study the reasons why. I had even had a glass of wine and a bite of garlic bread. Then I thought about it. The biggest thing I had was the loaded baked potato. I had opted for putting on my own oil and vinegar for the salad. The fish wasn't floating in butter but was very simply done whole like it used to be and deboned at the table.
The side vegetables of carrots and broccoli were steamed. After filling myself up, I felt no need for dessert.
This was the way I used to eat many years ago before gourmet chefs seasoned and decorated food like a work of art. Don't get me wrong, I am a foodie but the reality is 30 years ago we went for a much simpler fare. Food today is often piled up in the centre of the plate with veggies at the bottom that have had a little miracle infused in it... probably fat and seasonings. Last night I got to pick and choose my additives or seasonings for the salad and potato and gladly the rest was barely seasoned.
Food seasonings is a topic rarely discussed. It is more about what we should and shouldn't eat and portion control and when you list what you ate, you are never asked to outline the seasonings but I think they make a difference. There is so much emphasis being placed on what foods to eat. At one time or the other, we have all indulged in some type of food that has been loaded with seasonings to make it taste great. The question now remains, are these seasonings good or bad for you?
I am led to believe that not all seasonings are the same. I think there are seasonings that make you crave more but I have no studies to prove that. Sometimes I really need sugar after I finish a meal for example. Why is that? Is there something in the meal that says I need it? Maybe it is a balance between salt and sugar. Maybe when you have too much salt you crave sugar but I don't know this for sure.
I know that not all seasonings are the same. I think some of the combined ones like Montreal Steak spice are high in sodium while others are not. I also know that foods that are high in sodium cause you to retain excess water and therefore more weight. It is not that sodium is bad for you, but rather the amount we consume on a daily basis that is. Studies have shown that we should not consume more than 2,000 mg's of sodium if we are trying to lose weight and stay healthy although I don't usually check that out on a box of crackers or something similar. Maybe I should. I know that sugar is often used in conjunction with salt and together they pair well to enhance flavour. That is probably why you can't eat just one potato chip.
And just a short note in favour of sodium. Sodium allows the body to transport water more efficiently, so if you are in the desert or hot sun you may need some salt. Water is needed to keep our bodies properly hydrated and from overheating. In addition, sodium helps our bodies to deliver nutrients more efficiently which is important to achieving any fitness goal. So I don't believe in nixing sodium but realize there are some serious side effects of too much like high blood pressure and excess water retention and bloating.
I would rather use the salt shaker after the fact than have cooked food loaded in it and of course, natural foods are best in apposed to canned or packaged.
I wish I had some more answers though on seasonings. I think there is a vast topic that hasn't been properly explored. We are told salt and sugar (in excess) are bad for you and garlic, onions, cinnamon and leaf spices like oregano are good for you but there isn't much on seasonings sabotaging your diet. I think there is something to it, though. Why do we crave more and more of certain foods after we have had the first taste of it?
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