Resistance to overeating is futile as the American tradition of holiday baking kicks in this month. It’s too late for tomorrow’s feast, but here’s a suggestion to help you get a grip on calories before the goodie vortex sucks you in: blue plates. This idea may seem weird at first, but my own – unintentional – clinical trial using brightly colored Fiesta Ware made a believer out of me. I wouldn’t have believed this “dietary phenomenon” if I hadn’t seen with my own eyes. In an effort to add some fun for company last year, I bought eight different colored, salad-sized, plates. I stack them on the counter, and then after dinner ask everyone to choose their favorite for dessert. Surprise surprise, blue is the one that’s usually left.
Even though blue is one of the most popular colors, it is the least appetizing. Apparently, it’s a well-known appetite suppressant and explains why the golden arches are all about the opposite, red and yellow. One theory is that it’s in our DNA because our ancestors equated blue and purple with spoiled or poisonous. Makes perfect sense to me. Isn’t it the color of that growing mass inside the forgotten container at the back of your fridge?
Even though my friend list on facebook is small, I’ve noticed a growing trend. Next to cute little pet pics, there is more and more food talk. There’s recipe sharing, mouth-watering photos and descriptions of last night’s meal. Food is a higher priority then ever.
After facing the above combo today, I’ve decided not to use the blue-plate strategy for breakfast. I like eggs too much. You could try your own blue plate experiment because big calories lead to big stress. Let me know if it works for you.