Last month, I sent a note to my subscribers (My True Self Insiders) letting them know that I tried natto for the first time. Since that time, I’ve committed to eating natto once a week. Why would I eat these slimy, stinky, weird-tasting fermented soybeans? Because natto is good for me, and I know from experience that I can acquire a taste for something if I really set my mind to it. With the underappreciated superfood natto, I have set my mind to it, and I’m happy to say I’m turning a corner. Into my third week of eating natto, I’m finding that it’s not bad when combined with brown rice, fresh grated ginger, soy sauce, a little Sriracha, and fresh chopped cilantro. I’m optimistic that I’m well on my way to actually enjoying this Bacillus subtilis-covered legume.
Which brings me to my bigger question . . . why would you let the taste of something prevent you from letting it decrease your risk of chronic disease—or any ailment that can cripple you physically, emotionally, financially?
Perhaps you’re thinking “But I want to enjoy the taste of my food! It makes me happy.” But taste can be controlled (i.e., acquired) over about a month, which means that healthy foods will soon make you happy too. Is eating hyperpalatable engineered foods that are making you sick really a solid long-term plan for happiness? Do those 10 to 15 minutes of palate pleasure a few times per day add up to true happiness?
I know I’m challenging a long-standing, often subconscious belief system that has guided us through life. We have always thought, “if I don’t like it, I don’t eat it” and “if I like it, I eat it.” But let’s weigh that against other values, like what you know you love about your life: your family, friends, a rewarding career, or connection to the community.
You know that long-lived healthy populations have a menu plan with 7 to 10 servings of vegetables per day, 3 to 5 servings of fruits, and a cup of legumes, plus whole grains—but perhaps you are not even close to that because your subconscious belief system guides your daily food decisions.
Now ask yourself: What can get in the way of me living a long, rich life with those I love and care about most? If your health makes the top 3 of that list, then pause and challenge your belief system. You know you could benefit from eating more kale, lentils, and maybe even natto, and far less calorically dense, saturated fat-rich foods designed and marketed to make you salivate at the look and smell of them. You can make a conscious choice to shift your palate, and your belief system too.
Decide what food you don’t like, but know is healthy. Choose to consciously eat it simply because you know it’s good for you. As you start to eat it, remember that as you continue to eat it you will begin to tolerate it and eventually even enjoy it. Over time, as you add more healthful foods to your daily diet, you will crowd out the unhealthy stuff. The empowering side benefit of doing this is knowing that food engineers and marketing people no longer have you by the ovaries. Instead you are taking control of your health with each bite, to enjoy more years and better quality of life.