Never Eat Alone

The other day I was waiting in the car outside Tutti Fruiti while Carter ran in to get her self a yogurt.  I had the perfect parking spot to watch the people coming and going from Only Burger.

For those of you who are not from Durham, Only Burger is a hamburger stand, which, you guessed it, only sells burgers, fries and onion rings.  With the exception of maybe a diet root beer there is hardly anything sold there that would qualify as low calorie, but boy everything they do make is really delicious, as my old brain remembers from so far back.

As I was people watching, I noticed a trend.  The largest people coming out of the store were coming out alone, all carrying full bags of you know what.  The skinniest people were coming out empty handed, having presumably consumed their meal inside.

I watched as one person (whom I did not know so I am almost certain it is not you) walked out with a full bag and got in her car and ate her meal there.  The outdoor tables were free so if she had wanted she could have had a seat under the cool night stars, or she could have gone home, but the burgers could not wait.

The scene reminded me of a food rule I made last time I lost a significant amount of weight, which I have stuck to – No eating in the car (disclaimer, unless you are on a road trip and are eating with the rest of your family, late to your destination.)

Since your primary reason for being in the car is to drive somewhere, eating becomes a mindless secondary task, which might be dangerous, especially for your hips.

As I watched this woman eat what appeared to be all the offerings Only Burger had, a new rule came to mind.  If possible, never eat alone.  I doubt that if she had chosen to eat her meal in public, at a table, even by herself, she might have only chosen either the fries or onion rings and not both, as was the case that night.

The best possible world is to have a companion to share your meal with. First, you might not put too much on your plate to begin with out of sheer embarrassment and second, you probably would take more time to consume your food because perhaps you would have a conversation during your meal.

Now I know there are exceptions, like for people in solitary confinement, or those with horrific communicable diseases, but for me I am going to try and follow this new rule, so if you are lonely at lunchtime, give me a call.  There is always room at my table and it is so much more fun to eat less with someone.