I’ve always found it so curious how the manner in which our food is served can seriously impact how satisfying it is.   Key factors to a satisfying meal (in my opinion): 

 

  • Tiny bites vs. a single mass of food
  • Voluminous food vs. dense food

 

By tiny bites vs. a single mass of food, I mean that I find a sandwich cut into fours instead of left whole so much more pleasing.  It takes longer to eat, giving me more time to enjoy the flavor of my food.  I’d also rather eat many tiny portions of a variety of foods than 1 large portion of the same food

 

By voluminous food vs. dense food, I mean that I’d rather eat a plate filled with 250 calories of fruits and veggies than a 250-calorie sliver of pie.  I feel like I’m getting more bang for my "buck" and, again, it takes me longer to consume.  Of course, voluminous foods typically have a higher water and fiber content than dense foods, which also increases satiety.

 

Today’s lunch was a perfect example of a satisfying meal:

DSCN0009

I had: a small plum, two pickles, a carrot, and a chicken + cheddar cheese sammie.

DSCN0012

The carrot served as the barrier for preventing pickle juice from seeping onto my sammie, which is totally gross. 😉

DSCN0014

The sweetness of the plum was a great complement to the tart pickle!

DSCN0015

And for dessert, I had a Z-Bar.  Yes, I broke down and bought a few at the store tonight.  I give up! I’m a crazy woman for Z-Bars!

 

At least I made Maggie pose in front of the Z-Bar so you all got to look at a slightly more interesting picture:

DSCN0020

I…. love…. that…. FACE and that TINY WEINER BODY!

 

Mid-Morning Snack

 

Around 9:30, I had my mid-morning snack: yogurt + Kashi Go Lean Crunch!

DSCN0005

What are the important aspects of a satisfying meal for you? Should it contain a certain ingredient?  Does it have to be cooked by you or is it better when it’s made by someone else?  Is it always breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

{ 31 comments }

 

  • VeggieGirl October 21, 2008, 9:31 am

    I agree!! Great way to eat.

    Satisfying meals for me = wholesome, fresh, and delicious :0)

  • Anonymous October 21, 2008, 9:35 am

    what kind of yogurt do u eat?

  • Caitlin (see bride run) October 21, 2008, 9:38 am

    anon – dannon all natural plain nonfat yogurt. i used to be addicted to dannon light n’ fit but once i realized i preferred to eat more “whole foods”, i switched. the tangyness takes a while to get used to, so i used to add honey. but once i got used to the flavor, i dropped the honey and now i can’t imagine eating sugared yogurt!

  • Sharney October 21, 2008, 9:41 am

    Thanks for the heads up on where to find the InstaBake- I will look for it on my next shopping trip!

    I agree with you that I would rather eat a large quantity of fruits & veggies than a tiny miniscule portion of whatever! Your meal looks completely satisfying to me because it includes grains, protein, fruits & veggies- totally filling & nutritious!

    Little Maggie is so adorable! She totally makes that Z-Bar rock! She's so well behaved, too! My dog would be trying to gobble it down!

  • Sharney October 21, 2008, 9:43 am

    I will also try to take it easy with my running to prevent further pain/injury- it’s just soooo hard 🙁

  • Meg October 21, 2008, 9:44 am

    I have always eaten voluminous food in smaller bites! It just works for me!

  • Fitnessista October 21, 2008, 9:45 am

    hahah i love that you used the carrot to keep the pickle juice from getting on your sammie- you’re right, totally gross!
    my most satisfying meal is breakfast, no matter what 😀

  • Caitlin (see bride run) October 21, 2008, 9:45 am

    sharon – i know its hard to stop running for a little (trust me, i know), but really… try to learn from my mistakes! isn’t that the whole point of reading blogs? hehe. taking 1 long run off won’t ruin your training, I PROMISE!!!

    do you live anywhere near FL, by the way?

    and maggie is only well behaved because she is dumb as rocks. she probably didnt realize the z-bar was food.

  • therunningaddict October 21, 2008, 9:45 am

    I am totally a “volume eater” – especially of veggies. I also have to take in oatmeal and/or high fiber cereals for breakfast every day.
    As far as lunch and dinner are concerned, it is very important to me to include veggies. For lunch I would typically have a portion of steamed veggies and then a fresh salad portion for dinner.

  • Chic Runner October 21, 2008, 10:04 am

    I love that blue and white plate! 🙂 Super cute! And great pics again… I agree with you, eating a larger quanity of fruits and veggies makes you just feel so much better.

    Weird question… What camera do you have?

  • Bridget October 21, 2008, 10:09 am

    VARIETY! I am more satisfied if I have some of a few things rather than a big serving of one thing.

  • Caitlin (see bride run) October 21, 2008, 10:10 am

    Danica – a Nikon Cool Pix S1. It’s 3 years old! it’s a good camera but my biggest compliant is that it takes shit indoor pictures. 😉 hopefully we’ll get a new one for the wedding!

  • Sharney October 21, 2008, 10:16 am

    Hi again, Caitlin! I guess you can tell I'm having a slow day at work 🙂

    I live in Chicago, I'm originally from New York. My brother and his wife live in Bradenton, FL. My husband has some aunts & uncles who live in Florida, too. One of them live in The Villages and my in-laws are going to be moving there within a year! Are any of those places close to you? I'm hoping to visit one of these days- maybe we can go for a run sometime when I'm there?! I DO love Disney World!!

  • Caitlin (see bride run) October 21, 2008, 10:35 am

    sharon – the villages is very close to me! if you ever come to FL we will have to meet! 🙂

  • Sharney October 21, 2008, 10:47 am

    Cool! Definitely will do! Between my husband & me, we've got a whole bunch of relatives down there that we can plan a whole vacation around! My husband's parents are about to retire and will be joining his aunt & uncle in The Villages within the year. So, I will definitely let you know- that would be so much fun 🙂

  • ttfn300 October 21, 2008, 11:01 am

    maggie is wondering why you didn’t unwrap the z-bar for her? 🙂

  • Tutu B. October 21, 2008, 11:06 am

    Your food always looks so good! Your posts are always interesting as well, with good tidbits of ideas about things I don’t think about.

  • Jen October 21, 2008, 11:49 am

    What sandwhich bread do you prefer? I am getting bored with my usual! Thanks! I enjoy your blog so much; it is always so entertaining to read!

  • bitesoflife October 21, 2008, 11:57 am

    I try to go for the voluminous foods. Satisfying meals are usually something warm for me, since I’m always cold!

    You’re dog is precious, she just really wants you to open that z-bar!

  • *Andrea* October 21, 2008, 12:07 pm

    i totally agree! volume is key (my eyes always want more than my stomach!!) i really like how you give your opinions on food and the way you eat in addition to the pictures. you sure put it in a lot of work and it pays off on this fabulous blog

  • Lizzie October 21, 2008, 12:52 pm

    crunchy+chewy elements are both required for me to fill satisfied. I also like a hot item and a cold item. This works well for me because…well….I only eat about 5 different kinds of vegetables and I eat carrots and/or romaine lettuce with every meal! So I have cold carrots and or a cold salad and then hot whatever else. Anyone else have the hot/cold thing?

  • Balance, Joy and Delicias! October 21, 2008, 1:27 pm

    I’m totally agree with you. Tiny bites and big volume food. And another trick is listen to my body. If i really want a piece of chocolate I go for it, otherwise I’ll be eating a lot of healthier food, like fruits or yogurt to compensate and at the end, my appetite won’t be satisfied and I might have overeat as well.

  • greendogwine October 21, 2008, 2:47 pm

    I’m with ya on the cutting the sandwich into quarters – the only problem I have is sometimes they totally fall apart! Also – I’m now a z-bar addict because of you! 😛

  • jenngirl October 21, 2008, 3:46 pm

    Wonderful post, I certainly agree! I think the most satisfying meals are the ones I make myself because I always am sure to include the right amount of nutritional components for me. I think a satisfying meal=a healthy balance of food groups (yay for protein, veggies, healthy fats, and fruits!)

  • just me October 21, 2008, 4:08 pm

    completely w/ you about the small bites and pieces..which is why most of my food is always diced/cut up into bite size pieces. 🙂

  • magpie October 21, 2008, 4:22 pm

    Taking that one step further… I like open faced sandwiches. They can last forever.

  • Marlow October 21, 2008, 4:44 pm

    Tonight I made a sammie with sweet potatoes!! I was so inspired by your wrap. Holy moly, it was great!!

  • emily October 21, 2008, 5:44 pm

    awwww, doxies are pretty much the best dogs ever.

  • Caitlin (see bride run) October 21, 2008, 6:00 pm

    GDW – OH NO! i got someone else addicted! LOL

    andrea – thank you… so sweet!

  • HangryPants October 21, 2008, 7:03 pm

    Great question. I completely agree that if there are more little parts it is mentally more satisfying. With rich things like cheese and really good chocolate, I can appreciate and be satisfied with a little amount.

  • Andrea (Off Her Cork) October 23, 2008, 6:21 am

    I would rather it be cooked by me that way I know for sure what’s in it. I also like small bites of food, I feel like I’m eating more when I’m picking at smaller bites.

    I do would prefer 250 calories worth of fruits/veggies than a slice of pie or cake (both of which I don’t even like!). Also, going along with the smaller theme, I like when the ingredients in salads are bite size. I don’t like when I have to cut my lettuce, onions, and other ingredients myself. I would rather they be all chopped and ready to go. 😀

Healthy Tipping Point