Jan
28
It’s funny where we get our ideas for healthy meals. I usually assume that healthy ideas come from books and websites. After all, health is a modern thing, right? Of course, we forget all about the fact that the obesity epidemic is actually a rather recent thing. It’s only in the past few decades that our activity levels have sunk to an amazing low while our consumption of crappy food has risen to an alarming high. So I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me when some very healthy ideas come from sources that are less than modern.
In this particular case, I’m referring to a conversation I had over the weekend. If you read the 60 in 3 weekend roundup, you’ll know that I spent the weekend at a convention here in San Jose. The convention had nothing to do with health or fitness, but I got the chance to meet with quite a few people and talk to them. One of them was a rather interesting gentleman who I would never have expected to meet at a convention like this. Most of the participants were in their teens or early twenties. This gentleman was in his 80’s.
The Secrets of Living Long
For a man in his 80’s, he was in excellent shape, and he really seemed to be enjoying his life. We chatted for a while and eventually the conversation turned to health. And before you ask, no, I don’t always talk about health and fitness with everyone I meet :) Anyway, some of what he said I already knew. He doesn’t do much in the way of formal exercise but he walks everywhere. He hasn’t owned a car in twenty years and doesn’t plan on buying one now so his only modes of transportation are the bus and his legs. As far as eating habits, he eats rather simple meals, nothing too fancy and very rarely eats out at restaurants.
The Cheese Sandwich
We both ate our lunch while we chatted. I was having a salad while he had a sandwich he had brought with him. His meal was pretty simple. Black bread, Cheese and some veggies. An apple for dessert. It reminded me of the meals I had when I was a child. Out of curiosity, I decided to check out some facts about that sandwich when I got home and here’s what I found.
For about $2 total cost and 5 minutes preparation, that man had a far healthier meal than the salad which cost me $4 and 10 minutes to make. His lunch had a more balanced nutrient load plus it just seemed tastier. Now before you go off and make a cheese sandwich, let me add a few details.
- Coarsely ground black bread, not enriched white bread - Enriched white bread like wonder bread or most sandwich bread is nothing more than empty refined carbohydrates. Look for coarsely ground, whole grain black bread.
- No butter - You don’t need butter or margarine. If you add them, you’re adding unnecessary saturated fats to your meal.
- Don’t overdo the cheese - Cheese is very nutritious but it’s also high in calories. So enjoy it in moderation.
- Don’t forget the veggies - Slice a few cucumbers and tomatoes on that sandwich or try a bit of pepper or onion for more flavor. They’re a vital part of a healthy diet.
- Fruit for dessert - No yogurt, no candy bars and no juice. Bring an apple or an orange as your dessert.
- Drink water - This one is obvious. You don’t want to ruin your healthy meal with an unhealthy drink.
Summary
Sometimes the old ways really do work. Just make sure to do your research and don’t spoil what you find with modern accessories (like switching in wonderbread). And if you see an elderly gentleman by the name of Anthony walking the streets of San Jose, tell him Gal says hi.
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Comments
8 Responses to “A Blast From The Past - The Cheese Sandwich”
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What is black bread? I know of white, brown, wholegrain and rye…
I live off something similar to this. I use whole grain bread or whole wheat bread. For the veggies I use onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, and fresh jalepeno peppers. I also throw in some seasoning that my mom got when she went to India. I really have no idea what it is but its a powder and adds a nice extra kick. I use shredded cheese and throw it into my panini sandwhich grill. I also like put a few drops of tabasco on the side to kick it up a little more.
Sorry Josh, that’s a sign of my Israeli past.
Black bread is course, whole wheat bread. It’s usually darker than enriched white sandwich bread, hence the term “black”.
Just look for whole wheat bread. There’s a bunch of different types at almost any supermarket. If you can, find one where each slice has less than 100 calories, no fat (or at least no saturated fat) and at least 2 to 3 grams of fiber and protein. Should be a few varieties that match that criteria.
Gal
Hey Bubs, that sounds delicious. I have to remember that little trick with the tabasco. It’s a little bit of extra sodium, but hey, you can’t be 100% healthy 100% of the time.
Gal
Walk every where can be the secret of long living. Interesting! Most people have lost this habbit…They go every where by car, motorcycle,…We could also reduce the polution by walking more.
“black bread” is actually pumpernickly i believe, unless the bread was more light brown that dark brown. We made this in mak=y baking course this term in my culinary school. Theres actually a fare amount of sugar in the one we made.
If you can stand to part with your cheese occasionally, plain ol’ tomato sandwiches rock! Of course, load on the cucumbers and onions and whatnot. A really good tomato is almost like a slice of juicy meat.