The Re-revised Rules of Good Eating

Experts at the US Dept of Health and Human services and the USDA have released a new report on what we should be eating. Their report essentially states that we should be consuming fewer calories, meat, and sugar; switching to low-fat dairy; and exercising more often. While I find nothing completely wrong with these guidelines, they forgot that perhaps we also should enjoy eating. So here are my top food "rules":

1. Eat when hungry. Stop when moderately full.
This is stolen from Eating Disorders Anonymous but it's completely true. Why worry about calories and exact portions when our bodies have given us hunger and satiation cues which trigger us to begin and end eating?

2. Stomachs do not have eyes.
A carb is a carb is a carb, and our bodies do not know whether that carbohydrate is a cookie or organic quinoa or Eggo waffles. The only difference is calorie and fat content, both of which are essential to human survival.

3. There are no "good" and "bad" foods.
There are only different nutrients in each food. Some are higher or lower than others in certain nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, protein, water, vitamins, and minerals. Take ice-cream for instance. It is higher than low-fat milk in fat and sugar content, but both contain calcium (mineral), natural sugars (carbohydrates), and fat.

4. Exercise to maintain cardio health and strength.
Exercise should not be for the purpose of always burning calories and fat, but for good mental and physical health.

5. Enjoy food.
Because there are no good and bad foods and we can eat when hungry and stop, we can also enjoy food. Food is not just a source of energy, but gives us a sense of creativity, culture, and enjoyment. You can have your cake and eat it too.