When food is put in front of me, I notice the following changes in my physiology: pulse quickens, tunnel vision forms, slight perspiration commences, sense of smell heightens, and (of course) salivation commences. All of this anticipation results in a food consumption process which must be disturbing to observe. Imagine a high-RPM windmill-like device with a spoon/fork at the end of each blade rapidly depositing food into a mouth-like receptacle.
I call this Food Rush. Obesity researchers refer to this as "food anticipation" (more on this in later posts). It does not seem to be a particularly healthy way to approach a plate of food from a digestion point of view, and it can certainly result in difficulties monitoring hunger. My mind has no time to determine if I'm still hungry as I proceed through the meal. Food Rush is certainly one of the factors that led to my charter membership in the Clean Plate Club.
The other day, I was watching my dog, Gabby, eat her breakfast, and it occurred to me that Food Rush is a behavior shared by many a large dog.
For those keeping score, it takes Gabby precisely 56 seconds to eat a large bowl of food. More impressive is that she finishes her race despite the presence of a large red plastic device designed to slow her down. It's almost like watching a boxer artfully and aggressively maneuver around her opponent as she lays waste to him.
It strikes me that the way I eat doesn't always look that different from Gabby's signature style. So now I'm trying to make it a practice to take a deep breath when the plate lands in front of me. Maybe I should try the big red plastic speed inhibitor device on my plate.
WOW! I think my labs can beat that time, though! I LIKE the idea of the Kong in the dish - I'm going to give it a try. For the record, our 8 year old yellow lab, Maxine, has been a real champ in the weight loss arena. She has gone from a high of 82.0 in Feb '08 to 69.3 on 4/9/09! The vet said she can go on maintenance when she hits 65 lbs! She can't wait for the added "points"!
ReplyDeleteLeader in Delaware Co., NY
Maybe we are on to something - my son's dog, long, leggy doberman mix, can leave food sitting, and seems to only eat when he is hungry, as much as he needs and then leaves some for later.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a lesson here. If Sonny can do it, we can!
Leader in Indiana
Congrats on achieving Lifetime! As the only male WW leader in my area (not territory, there are two others) I am also one of the few proud male members in my meeting!
ReplyDeleteI love how you put it all together. The food,dog eating style. If you want to call it that. My beagle is the same. I sometimes think he doesnt even take a bite. He just inhales. What we could learn from our pets. I do wish there were more men. I always thought if they just put one on the cover more often. Not being of that species,male, I dont know if it would make a differance
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this blog! I CANNOT wait to share this link with my male members (especially AWs where they may be the only guy in the room!).
ReplyDeleteAnd this particular blog was TOO FUNNY! My cocker spaniel scarfs hers,then tries to get to the cat's food....(so much for watching portion sizes)!
Hilarious! Loved the background music - so fitting!
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny!
ReplyDeleteIt's also a great image, my dog, Grace, eats slowly. She's the first dog I've ever had that is not food motivated.
I've always had dogs with weight issues despite they were very active. They were also inhaling food the way Gaby was.
Grace, my current dog, eats slowly, a little at a time. She's the only dog I've ever had that doesn't have a weight problem. I even had to change her food so she would keep weight on.
Now I am, without a doubt, a "food inhaler". I eat very fast. I blame it on growing up with 2 brothers.
I will share this with my members, I think it's brilliant ;o)
Great comparison! I think I will try and imagine that big plastic speed inhibitor on my plate the next time I eat. I have two dogs and the bigger dog always gulps down his food without even chewing it and then runs to the little dog's bowl to finish off hers. He will even lick a clean bowl just so he can be sure and get the last drop from her dish! Talk about "food anticipation!" or at least hopefulness!
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