These days I’m almost completely vegetarian (fish once or twice a week, other meat maybe once a month) and I agree that it makes me feel healthier overall, but your point about rich and savory food applies. Often I don’t feel all that satisfied after eating, and probably go back for seconds more than I should. I’m thinking maybe I should adopt the Indian practice of adding a spoonful of ghee to top most dishes and see if the extra fat satisfies my stomach (at lower caloric cost than a second plateful).

Another trick is to spice up your food a bit past where you’re usually comfortable. You won’t eat as much of something if it’s really spicy, and it really gives your metabolism a boost. Just don’t go so far with this that you don’t enjoy your food anymore.

Besides, I read somewhere that eating lots of good oil (like about 8 fluid ounces daily) was good for you. I lost the reference, and I might have gotten the number wrong, but I do remember that it was surprisingly much. Supposedly it lubricates your bowels.

Stuff the Atkins, Lo-Carb, whatever-diets where the sun doesn’t shine. If such trends actually make you eat more (similar to what Lars says) or they land you a degree of malnutrition lacking certain vitamins, enzymes, or fibers, then you haven’t accomplished much. You’ve only changed the problem.

Full flavour is the way to go, I agree with Lars completely. Apart from that, constant activity works for me. Not necessarily exercise, just having plenty to do. I often forget to eat, if I’m busy.

Btw, olive oil is king in my domain, too. Not sure about the digestive effects but I think it’s proven to be anti-inflammatory…helps rheumatism and swelling, to some extent.

Do yourselves the favour of mixing olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a bit of crushed garlic as a salad dressing. My 2½-year old gobbles up green stuff by the acre, when I do it. And that’s a stamp of quality if ever there was one.