In his book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, Dr Gary Chapman reveals that each of us primarily speak with one of five so-called “love languages”: quality time, physical touch, gift giving, acts of service, and words of affirmation.
Some suggest, however, that food is in fact the sixth language of love. Food is, after all, often seen as the greatest form of expressing love.
Potatoes SA takes it a step further, and truth be told, we think they’re on to something. To the naked eye, potatoes have no love language. To the foodies, health professionals and potato fans, they can confidently affirm that potatoes have heart. And so, we take a look at the five languages of love in relation to food and particularly potatoes.
Remember, small changes in food choices can have an impact on reducing cardiovascular disease and optimizing heart health. It is sometimes hard to keep a fine balance between nutritionally sound food and entertaining your family and friends.
1. Quality Time
Food brings people together to share in quality time (QT). Social media has to a large degree robbed people of QT. Instead of being fully present in mind, body and soul, we seem to have resorted to gadgets and devices as a form of QT. Why not break away from the rat race and invest in some QT with your loved ones?
Swap this… |
…for this! |
| Deep fried potato chips | Oven baked potato wedges (with the skin still on) |
| Potato salads with heaps of mayonnaise | Boiled baby potatoes (with the skin still on) dressed in fresh herbs, boiled eggs and a yoghurt dressing |
| Peeled mashed potatoes with butter and cream | Whole baby potatoes, mashed and drizzled with a little olive oil and fresh herbs |
2. Physical touch
Physical touch is an important love language as it gives one the feeling of comfort, belonging and safety. In relation to food, the comfort factor is definitely something we can all relate to. We all have that one dish that takes us back to a special time in our lives or to a specific memory that makes our hearts and tummies happy. These dishes are what we call comfort foods.
Here’s a tip: choose your carbohydrates wisely! The taste of the good ol’ spud is a comfort to the tongue, and gives nutrients to the body. Did you know that one medium potato (90g), with skin, contains nutrients and about 2.2g of fibre? Potatoes are the true underground hidden food treasure. Wholesome, filling and packed with vitamins and minerals.
3. Affirmation
Self-love is the best kinda love. You are what you eat, after all. Investing in healthy eating habits and adopting a healthy lifestyle is a declaration of self-love. A stroke, heart attack or high blood pressure should not be the only reminder of how precious your life is.
Always positively affirm yourself and others through well chosen, fit for the soul food groups. Dr Sue Churchill, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Chichester, found that there might be a link between self-affirmation and self-control with regards to snacking on unhealthy, calorie-dense foods. Churchill and her fellow researchers suggested that those who struggle with self-control when it comes to snacking could benefit from self-affirmation.
Tip: Prepare potatoes in a healthy way as part of the starchy part of a meal! Always remind yourself that it’s not the potato. It’s how you prepare and consume potatoes.
4. Receiving
In theory, receiving is about receiving gifts from someone or the giving of gifts to someone. It doesn’t need to be expensive or big. Yes, when gifting, it is the thought that counts. Preparing and serving a meal to those we love is tantamount to gifting. There’s nothing as fulfilling as seeing those we love well fed, happy and satiated.
Tip: Be sure to include a lean protein (fish or chicken), healthy carbohydrates (potatoes with the skin still on and brown rice etc.) and plenty of vegetables in your meal. Remember, size matters! Calories play an important role in weight management and being conscious of the calories consumed in the diet is a key factor in optimising one’s weight.
5. Acts of service
Service is about backing words with actions. With all the flack potatoes have received over the years around health and nutrition, fact and evidence remain a key priority in restoring the integrity of the potato offering. As a promise to all potato and non potato consumers, Potatoes SA declare that:
- Potatoes are naturally fat free, cholesterol free and low in sodium. Prepare potatoes in a healthy manner for optimum nutritional results.
- Potatoes are multitalented. It’s at the heart of every proudly South African meal. Breakfast, lunch or supper, you can trust potatoes to brighten up your menu.
- Potatoes are wholesome and tasty. “Classic goodness of the earth” is a slogan that epitomizes the true essence of a well prepared and elegantly dressed spud.
Potatoes SA is a Food For Mzansi partner. Our work is supported by the contributions of our partners, who have no right of control over editorial content. Read more on our Partners page.
