Maybe it's this way for everyone, but I almost never watch live TV anymore (save for events like the Superbowl or a few college football games) - I always record shows and then fast forward through the commercials. So I rarely see advertisements. However, I do get emails that seem to be this era's form of commercials, and I've realized that emails containing restaurant food pictures have started to make crazy-big portions become normal-looking to me. Or that the deals they are promoting (appetizer! dinner! dessert!) have gone from seeming extreme (I don't eat that much in a single setting normally) to standard, like everyone eats this way, so why shouldn't I? Needless to say, I now hit "spam" on those emails, without even opening them...no need to tempt myself!
I got the idea for this post over the holidays, when it felt like I was getting these restaurant promo emails on a daily basis. I even started to save some of the accompanying pictures for this post, but then remembered that if I don't appreciate it in my email, I don't need to be spreading their food porn here. However, it's crazy that meals I wouldn't even consider while I'm at a restaurant, looking at their menu, somehow became an option in my head when I opened email after email of food porn.
I am someone who will always have to watch what I eat. Losing weight didn't magically cure me of ever being overweight again. I can't eat like "normal" people...although, I suspect that most of us can't and there really is no "normal" - but that's a post for another day. In the meantime, here's my version of food porn - a beautiful breakfast parfait made with nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh blackberries, and my homemade granola. Now this is something I feel good about sharing!
Does food porn get to you? I'd love to know I'm not alone in this.
Oh definitely! I love me some food porn. I think I've said it before but portions aren't that big here as they are in the US although it's getting bigger and bigger over the years and it's already possible to order a small plate sometimes too.
ReplyDeleteAs for TV, I record everything too except for one TV show, a game show, that so many people watch here that if you don't watch it on Thursday night, you know what happened before you go to bed. It's very popular on Facebook and in radio shows, it's that popular.
You are a cook, so I guess you look at food porn differently? Sorry that American-sized portions are making their way to your country...
DeleteNow I'm curious about your game show. :)
It's called "Wie is de mol" or "Who is the mole". A group of Dutch celebrities go to a country, this year it's Sri Lanka. One of them is the mole who tries to sabotage the games the others have to play so that there isn't too much money left at the end of the show. Everyone, including the mole, makes a test every week where they guess who the mole is. The person who has the most mistakes in the test goes home till there are 3 left: a winner, a loser and the mole.
DeleteI have 4 co-workers that are watching this show too. We are playing a little game ourselves: every Monday we say who we think the mole is and who will be the winner. But it's difficult guessing because the mole gets help from the producers of course. Every year at the end of the show they show the tricks the mole did and I always didn't see it LOL.
I haven't ever really thought about it but I think I'd say no, it doesn't bother me. Of course, food and cooking and creating with ingredients is a hobby for me so maybe I just look at it differently? Not really sure but now I'll pay attention I think.
ReplyDeleteWe DVR so many things it almost feels like a huge nuisance to watch live TV with all the commercials!
Yeah, maybe because you look for inspiration/ideas for food, it doesn't hit you the same way it hits me?
DeleteP.S. DVR is the only way to go! /high five
I don't think I get any emails from restaurants! Thank goodness. Because yes, food porn does bother me. I get fixated on certain foods when I just see them in other people's blogs. But more bothersome to me is actually going out to the restaurants, where I just want to eat what the "other people" eat. Having just gotten back from a week of eating out, it is frustrating. My friend and I only discovered at the end of the trip that we both would have been happy to share meals. Oh well. Next time!
ReplyDeleteI was at Red Robin on Saturday, and I swear, every table around us had a tower of onion rings (they also have a tower of donuts, if you're so inclined). This is not normal! Seriously, much as I love their burgers and fries, I'm really glad we don't have a RR in my town. I don't need that more than once or twice a year.
DeleteI bet more people are willing to split meals but just assume the other person isn't interested. Good to know that next time you'll have that option with your traveling friend!
It's funny, logically I KNOW that these insane portion sizes and unhealthy junky meals and treats are not healthy, but it does make me feel resentful that other people get to indulge all the time and I don't. Even though I don't want to be overweight and undernourished and feel sluggish and toxic! But I do have a LOT more resistance than I did decades ago, thank god. Still, I like your food porn way better!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's it - in my head "normal" people DO eat that stuff, but when you look at who is eating what at those restaurants...well, they aren't normal-sized.
DeleteYES!!!! You've hit on it right here Shelley. If you are honest when you look at people who are eating any and everything, they are not normal sized. Yes, Mr. Helen eats some things others would wish they could eat but honestly, if that man is not hungry you can't make him eat. He loves a take home container!
DeleteYes, it does bother me, I am very suggestible and obsessive when it comes to food. Thank goodness I don't get restaurant emails!
ReplyDeleteOn occasion when I am watching TV in real time, I catch myself trying to fast forward or rewind and can't figure out why the remote isn't working. Teehee
LOL on the fast-forward not working - I've done that too.
DeleteRestaurant portions are just so out of whack - it could literally be 2-3 meals easily!
ReplyDeleteYour parfait looks delicious - I'll start sending you some "healthy" food porn - ha! :D
You know I had to do the parfait after seeing yours! :)
DeleteYou are NOT alone on this Shelley!
ReplyDeleteGood to hear, Roz. :)
DeleteI am very much influenced by food commercials. I see something and think "oh yum!" However, what I find interesting is that I have no desire to have a 3 course dinner anymore. I now realize it is too much food for me to eat. I used to eat that much, but now I just can't. It's funny because my dad still eats this way and when we go out to eat, he *always* gets an appetizer and a big meal.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy that when you go out to eat, a petite serving of meat is like 6 ounces, which is 2 ounces bigger than a recommended portion!!!