Positive Eating: A Movement We Can Get Behind
In a nation with obesity rates reaching what some health officials call epidemic, it’s so refreshing to read stories like this one in The New York Times Dining & Wine section today. It focuses on the move toward positive eating trends instead of restrictive, newfangled “diets” that claim to shed pounds with ease.
“Consumers and nutritionists say they are seeing a shift toward ‘positive eating’ — shunning deprivation diets and instead focusing on adding seasonal vegetables, nuts, berries and other healthful foods to their plates,” the story says.
It has been my philosphy — and that of a few other HGers — to incorporate a lovely array of foods as the best way to maintain a healthy weight and mind. It’s about bringing more healthful options to the dining table instead of shunning — and then later binging on — certain foods. The more well-rounded your diet, I’d venture the less round your midsection. And bonus points on the health meter for those who prepare and enjoy real foods with friends and family. That’s when eating transcends pure nutrition and allows us to relax, converse, and stimulate both our brains and our palates.
Comments
By Lynne Funk

Lynne Funk is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and cheesemonger. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., she attended Penn State University where her college newspaper, The Daily Collegian, made her fall in love with words. It was the two and a half years residing in New York City, however, that sparked her obsession with food and wine. Some of her favorite things to make are rack of lamb, paella, and sauces, such as aioli. Choosing just one favorite cheese is difficult, but Pierre Robert tops her list. French wine of all varietals always please her palate.
About The Humble Gourmand
The Humble Gourmand is published the first Friday of each month, edited by Alison L. McConnell, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and writer. It is designed to offer straightforward lessons and advice to aspiring cooks, oenophiles, and all other eaters and drinkers.
The Humble Gourmand encourages users to comment on any and all of its features, but reserves the right to remove any material deemed inappropriate.
Mel
September 26 6:09 p.m. 1When I first saw the entry title, I thought this was an article on environmentally friendly eating. This is kind of interesting to think that environmentally eating is quite similar to plain old healthy eating.
Alison
September 30 11:17 a.m. 2I love the notion of approaching the food you eat from a positive perspective rather than a negative, exclusionary one. It's almost relaxing. It certainly aids my attempt to avoid as much high fructose corn syrup and other hallmarks of highly processed foods (if you think about eating positively, adding good things, there's less room for the junk)!