In-car dining

Saturday, September 8, 2012 Permalink

I was one of those losers incredibly motivated people queuing at the grocery store when it opened at 8am today – a Saturday. Which (given my particular skill of speed-shopping) meant I was in my car on the way home by 8.15 and inadvertently listening to some morning radio show… which I usually try to avoid like the plague, mostly because those calling-in just piss me off.

The female host was talking about a recent episode in which she’d been grocery shopping and got stuck into a small tub of cream on the drive home. Her choice of in-car dining was supposed to be weird, as she had her colleagues guessing what she’d eaten. Naturally they went for the obvious – chips/crisps, lollies etcetera.

Fortunately my grocery store is only a couple of minutes drive so I was home before they had callers confessing to their own bizarre in-car dining habits, but once again it got me thinking about the rituals I attach to eating.

I’ve talked before about the ‘ceremony’ surrounding my meals – well the ones that count. Breakfast and lunch – particularly on weekdays don’t matter. I’ll eat whatever I have to and wherever I have to eat it. Breakfast is usually consumed in front of the computer, checking emails before heading to work. And as I go to the gym during my lunch breaks, I just eat lunch at my work desk. You know… WOTEVA.

It’s my other meals which I consider to be ‘special’ and worthy of greater attention. There is – for example – no way in hell I would eat my favourite treats (corn chips, popcorn, chocolate and so forth) in front of the computer or IN THE BLOODY CAR for god’s sake! I mean… how disrespectful?!?!?!

I’ve read about those who feel – if they eat it before they get home – it doesn’t count; or that they have to hide the evidence of unhealthy food from partners or kids. Or perhaps they’re just hungry. I guess I’d eat in the car if I was ravenous and suspect I have on long journeys.

As for other times… I JUST DON’T GET IT. When I could eat KFC (before my coeliac diagnosis) I wouldn’t dream of tucking into my KFC chips while heading home. Nope, I had to wait until I was home and put them on a plate… complete with the chicken and gravy etc before settling myself and diving in.

I feel compelled to confess that I bought corn chips this morning and ate them for breakfast once home. And yes, I put them in a bowl and mixed up some dip in a container, plonked myself in front of the television and watched an episode of Fringe while I devoured 1000+ calories. That – and other recent eating episodes aside – I’m still thinking about the ceremony and ritual around food… in my case.

I’ve never been a ‘food is (just) fuel’ fan. Food has always meant much more than that and I still believe it should… even though I know I should tone down some of the ‘excitement’ I attach to it. I know there are more important things. Surely, there must be. Mustn’t there? 

I’ve been trying to avoid attaching labels to food (ie. good or bad) and am trying to use words like ‘healthy’ and ‘less-healthy’. I’ve tried to ONLY steer clear of my trigger or danger foods (like corn chips) allowing myself other options which I believe to be less-healthy or sometimes food (potato and pasta for example – both of which I find hard to eat in small quantities!). But, I’m now thinking I need to work on my attitude towards food FULL STOP.

In the meantime… Are you an in-car diner? What do you eat in the car and why?

 

10 Comments
  • Vanessa @ Babbling Bandit
    September 8, 2012

    Ned and I used to have lollies in the car all the time. I’ve stopped that since trying to give up/cut down sugar. If Ned and I are out for the day I always carry ‘bag snacks’ like popcorn, muesli bars, fruit. If we are driving somewhere and I’m hungry I’ll eat some of that. I drink coffee in the car and always have a bottle of water to hand. It really is just a convenience thing. V.

    • Debbish
      September 8, 2012

      I’m sure if you have kids you need car-snacks! Nothing worse than a toddler or baby starving with no food on hand!

      Deb

  • Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
    September 8, 2012

    I don’t drive, but I know what you mean about not eating your favourite treats at the computer. I like to enjoy them and don’t want it to be mindless eating.

    • Debbish
      September 9, 2012

      Absolutely Dannii!!!

  • Char
    September 9, 2012

    I’m only in my car for short periods so there’s rarely a chance to eat in it. But I’d honestly prefer to wait until I get home so I can savour it – rather than just stuff it into my face between gear changes.

    • Debbish
      September 9, 2012

      Char, I’m exactly like you in that respect!

      Deb

  • Jo Tracey
    September 9, 2012

    nope. I’m not a mindful eater, well, not as much as I would like to be, but I like to savour…

    • Debbish
      September 9, 2012

      I’m surprised there haven’t been more confessions about secretive car-eating!

  • KCLAnderson (Karen)
    September 11, 2012

    I used to eat in the car but I don’t any more for several reasons, one of which is this: one time, several years ago, I was really hungry and bought a bag of chips while shopping. I ate them on the way home. The next day, I was sick to my stomach. I surmised that I’d picked up a bug on my hands and because I hadn’t washed them, got sick. Who knows, it could have happened for some other reason, but from them on I decided I’d never eat without thoroughly washing my hands again.

    That said, I do eat in front of the computer and REALLY do want to break that habit. My husband and I were away for several days and I found myself relaxing at meals, eating much more slowly and enjoying my food…something I think is KEY to better nutrition and thus feeling more satisfied after a meal.

    • Debbish
      September 11, 2012

      Yes, whether one is a proponent of mindful eating or not… eating while on the computer (or driving) or doing anything requiring a lot of concentration obviously takes our attention away from one or the other!

      Deb

I'd love to hear your thoughts