How Etiquette Makes You Healthy

You may not suspect it, but one of my hobbies is collecting and reading old etiquette books. It started sometime during late elementary years or early junior high when I was very sick in bed and running out of books to read. It seemed the only books in our house I had not read were on top of my mom's  pump organ which belonged to her collection of antiques. There I came upon an etiquette book published sometime around 1920. I read it and loved it. I had always loved old things and learning about bygone eras, and reading about etiquette gave a glimpse into past times unlike anything else. I now have etiquette books of my own. Copies of two books on my iPod dating from sometime around the Civil War, one by Amy Vanderbilt from the 1950s and I hope to accumulate more.

It seems that for the most part many of the old protocols of etiquette have long left our society, either out dated or forgotten. However, you may be surprised to learn that some etiquette may help improve your health.

Breaking Bread
Etiquette dictates that bread should be broken, not cut, and buttered one bite at a time. Common practice often involves slicing a roll in half, buttering both sides, putting it back together and eating it like a sandwich.

How Etiquette Helps: Anyone who has been to Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, or any Mormon function with baskets of homemade rolls knows how easy it is to down several rolls or breadsticks in one sitting. I can inhale a basket Texas Roadhouse rolls! Breaking bread off one piece at a time slows you down. It takes just a little more time and effort, giving you a chance to realize you are full before you've eaten the whole basket. Buttering one piece at a time can help you use less butter. Slathering butter on a whole roll makes it easier to over do the butter. If you are buttering once piece you are more likely to go a little lighter on the butter.

Salting
All etiquette books state that salting a dish before you have tasted is inconsiderate to the cook who has gone great lengths to create a well seasoned dish. However, many times people salt dishes out of habit more than anything else, never even tasting to see if salt is needed.

How Etiquette Helps: The typical American diet is very high in salt, with the average intake often being more than double what is recommended. This can cause high blood pressure which can lead to heart and kidney problems, both of which are issues in the United States today. Waiting to salt food can help decrease your salt intake and help prevent these issues.

Cutting Meat 
Meat is to be cut one or up to three bites at a time, no more. It is to be cut slowly, deliberately, gently and then chewed completely before being swallowed. None of this cutting a whole chicken breast at once and then gobbling it down or frantically sawing with a knife or, worse yet, the side of your fork.

How Etiquette Helps: Once again, as with the bread, cutting slowly and chewing completely helps you slow down and taste your food. Chewing the meat also helps it digest. It also reduces the risk of knocking the meat off your plate during the frantic saw.


These are just a few of the ways that taking time to observe etiquette can help you improve your health.
I am excited to gain the health and poise that can come from days gone by, but as LeVar would say on Reading Rainbow, "But you don't have to take my word for it!"  Go try out a book of etiquette for yourself!