Episode 2: We Eat With Our Eyes

"I love walking into a restaurant and seeing what the chefs are cooking. One of my favorite restaurants has the kitchen smack dab in your face when you walk through the door. At certain times of the year, they make grilled artichokes. Because I see the delicious artichokes when I walk in, it is the first thing I order".

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They say the first bite is with the eye, and on today’s podcast, I am on a mission to share the secrets behind the art of eating visually, but I am not talking about just any foods. I am talking about foods that will nourish your body and delight your senses.

Eating with our eyes involves a multi-sensory experience where the visual appeal of food sets the stage for the overall enjoyment of a meal. From the artful presentation on the plate to the influence of social media and cultural factors, our eyes play a significant role in how we perceive and savor what we eat.

How We Eat with Our Eyes:

We get a little help from a hormone called Ghrelin. Ghrelin is produced in the stomach and triggers appetite by acting on a region in your brain known for controlling the amount of food you eat. When you see food, Ghrelin is released into the bloodstream, resulting in a spike in your appetite, signaling you to eat. Even the smell of food sends signals throughout the body that we are ready to eat as soon as we catch a glimpse, or a good whiff, of food. This is evident in restaurants because we see food all around us, but the same thing happens in your home. The foods you see will be the ones you consume. Unfortunately, what we place in the front of our refrigerators doesn’t always equate to a healthy snack or meal.

Make it Work for You:

The good news is that you have a choice of which foods you put on display. Today, your achievable action is to put the foods you would like to eat more of right in front of you.

• Plan ahead by purchasing pre-cut fruits and veggies, or

• Cut up your fruits and veggies when feeling energized, such as after the grocery store or early in the morning.

• Place the healthy foods you want to eat more in a location where you will see them. For example, a bowl of grapes on the kitchen counter, or a cup of blueberries on your desk.

• Create multiple spaces that invite you to reach for healthy foods, such as your kitchen, workspace, pantry, etc.

• Place cut-up fruit and veggies in clear containers so that you can see them.

• Place nuts and seeds in glass mason jars to remind you to add them to salads and oatmeal.

• Make the healthy foods so visually appealing that you can’t help but eat them.

• Declutter your pantry by throwing away half-eaten boxes of cereal, pasta, and cookies and replace them with healthier options such as whole grains, nuts, and nut butter such as almond butter or peanut butter.

• Place the healthy options in clear containers that will entice you to grab them for an afternoon pick-me-up or when you are unsure what to make for dinner.

Get Organized:

An organized and visually pleasing pantry is the starting point for creating delicious and nutritious meals. Your new environment will motivate you to prepare a healthy dinner with the foods that you have beautifully on display.

Get inspired! It all starts by creating an attractive space that motivates you and reinforces healthy eating. You can do this for your workspace, too. These tips are fun, visually attractive, and help to prevent food waste. I can’t wait for you to get started today.

I am going to leave you with this bit of advice: A healthy snack is just