Tips on how to Gasoline Up – The Atlantic

Meals traits are continuously altering, so can folks decide to a long-term diet follow? Kera Nyemb-Diop says sure. She is a diet scientist centered on breaking down the “guidelines” of what folks assume they need to eat and focusing as a substitute on being conscious of how our wants change over the course of a life. Co-hosts Yasmin Tayag and Natalie Brennan rethink their very own meals habits and which practices are price hanging on to for the lengthy haul.

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The next is a transcript:

Natalie Brennan: I simply noticed a video final week that I couldn’t even inform if it was satire or not. They have been freezing cottage cheese curds—freezing them—and calling it “protein Dippin’ Dots.”

Yasmin Tayag: That’s bought to be a joke.

Brennan: I imply, we will solely hope!

Brennan: I must understand how excessive cottage cheese gross sales are up. May you look that up?

Tayag: [Typing noises.] Okay, previously 5 years, cottage cheese gross sales are up greater than 50 p.c.

Brennan: Fifty p.c! That’s a lot cottage cheese. [Laughs.]

Tayag: I’m Yasmin Tayag, a employees author with The Atlantic.

Brennan: And I’m Natalie Brennan, producer at The Atlantic.

Tayag: That is Tips on how to Age Up.

[Music ends.]

Tayag: Okay, Natalie, have you ever fallen for any meals traits?

Brennan: All of them. All of them. I’ve tried principally every part aside from prayer. I used to be plant based mostly; now I’m consuming floor turkey prefer it’s my job. I had a kombucha section. I’m desperately anxious about my intestine well being. And I did begin shopping for a model of oat milk with no seed oils, I concern.

Tayag: Lady! Not the seed oils! I’ve been writing about them a lot in my protection of meals and well being at The Atlantic … all these claims that they’re poisonous are not backed up by the analysis.

Brennan: I do know. It’s identical to, if somebody tells me you shouldn’t have processed components in your drink, I’m like Okay! Possibly that’s why my abdomen hurts!

Tayag: I imply, I get it. I get the sense that lots of people are anxious that the meals being bought to them is making them sick. One of many causes meals traits are so fashionable is as a result of folks really feel dangerous! We really feel unwell! For thus many various causes. Like, you recognize I had COVID not too long ago, and I didn’t even understand it as a result of I assumed feeling so horrible was my baseline. So altering what you eat looks as if a very easy technique to repair what’s mistaken with you. Which is in some methods honest—ou know, there’s numerous analysis popping out displaying that consuming an excessive amount of ultra-processed meals, which makes up the majority of what’s bought in American grocery shops, is unhealthy in a whole lot of particular methods.

Brennan: However it’s fascinating to see, now, these very actual considerations co-opted politically. Proper? Like I didn’t think about that criticizing ultra-processed meals might have me worrying that I used to be aligning myself politically with MAHA [“Make America Healthy Again”] wellness supporters.

Tayag: You’re proper. We’re at a really fascinating time proper now, the place meals and the best way it’s produced is being politicized. You recognize, with RFK Jr. [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] because the well being secretary, meals is more and more being framed in both of two methods: It’s both you eat the MAHA approach—which is ingesting uncooked milk and consuming beef tallow and solely having “pure” meals—otherwise you’re, like, a shill for Large Meals and eat all this horrible processed stuff. Which is complicated, as a result of I don’t really feel like most individuals match neatly into both of these classes, and it’s simply not the precise approach to consider consuming. The large drawback I see is that this disconnect between what folks assume they need to be consuming and what they really want, nutritionally. And I believe the recognition of meals traits reveals how a lot we’ve overpassed what we really need.

Brennan: I do discover with regards to meals traits, every part may be very black and white. We’re usually informed that every diet pattern is one of the simplest ways to eat, and all of it appears very one-size-fits-all. And in addition, I continuously then really feel confused, as the recommendation at all times looks as if it’s at all times altering.

[Music.]

Tayag: I spoke to ​​Dr. Kera Nyemb-Diop about this. She’s a diet scientist and coach who is actually centered on breaking down the “guidelines” of what folks assume they need to eat and as a substitute educating them tips on how to feed themselves over the course of a life.

Kera Nyemb-Diop: Our dietary wants evolve throughout the totally different phases of life. Our physique shifts from progress to upkeep and finally preservation. In childhood, diet is all about progress and growth. So children gonna want extra energy, protein, key vitamins to help their quickly rising our bodies. Then throughout adolescence you even have progress, however you must take into account hormonal adjustments. After which there’s maturity, when the main focus strikes to sustaining well being, stopping power circumstances. After which you’ve got older maturity, when you’ve got some actual critical physiological adjustments that affect consuming. Urge for food can lower; sense of style and scent can fade. And so, it’s necessary to contemplate that side when making meals decisions.

Tayag: I discover that the dialog round consuming today is so centered on getting extra of a sure complement or mineral or nutrient.

Nyemb-Diop: I agree.

Tayag: You recognize one which stands out to me is the obsession with getting extra protein—all over the place you go, it’s “added protein”! They’re even making child meals with added protein. What do you make of this?

Nyemb-Diop: As a nutritionist, I believe protein is necessary. Sure, it performs a important position in sustaining muscle, supporting metabolism, or contributing to how glad we really feel after meals—however then there’s the advertising. So, for my part, that is extra advertising than diet. And there’s some exaggeration occurring. Most individuals don’t want to trace each gram of protein. And I actually really feel we gave fruit and veggies the identical stage of hype and a focus as a result of that is one thing that almost all People aren’t getting sufficient of these. So I’d say: Sure, protein is important, but additionally it’s a pattern, and traits include noise.

Tayag: So who really would possibly want extra protein?

Nyemb-Diop: So we all know that individuals who train rather a lot, athletes: They positively want extra protein. So relying in your train stage—now all people’s speaking about constructing muscle mass. So, I’d say that’s positively a second the place you ought to be possibly extra intentional about your protein consumption. Additionally, you recognize, I’d say being pregnant, postpartum section, or after a surgical procedure or an harm, could also be a second the place it’s essential to be extra intentional about what you eat. The expansion section for youths and youngsters: I believe it’s necessary to be intentional. However on the similar time, being intentional about maintaining a healthy diet is sufficient.

Tayag: I believe folks perceive that, no less than in idea. However it’s really easy to get swept up in meals traits as a result of there are simply so many! Protein, like we spoke about, probiotics, collagen, adaptogens … they develop into fashionable, then they fade out. What do you assume is behind these shifts?

Nyemb-Diop: With social media, there’s just a little bit an excessive amount of data. It’s a mixture of, you recognize, firms attempting to push their merchandise and folks’s curiosity rising and, you recognize, a excessive understanding of how meals may be therapeutic, how meals can really affect our well being. And I believe that’s the right setting for traits to be fashionable. One factor I’d say—and I at all times say to the folks I work with—is to attempt to disconnect from that just a little bit and take into consideration, Okay, what do you really like? What do you take pleasure in consuming? What appears tough? What have you ever tried and wasn’t doable? What do you do with out pondering that’s really a very good behavior that it’s essential to preserve? And what do it’s essential to work on just a little? What behavior do it’s essential to implement in your life? When you consider diet suggestions, it’s at all times bought as a one-size-fits-all. And I get it; you recognize, it’s simpler, as a result of it’s essential to give the higher suggestions for the utmost quantity of individuals. However it doesn’t work this fashion. Now we have totally different realities, totally different preferences, so I believe it’s necessary to regulate.

Tayag: One pattern that stands out to me is plant-based consuming, which typically appears good. And I’ve seen it intersect with the protein pattern, in that plant-based protein is supposedly more healthy than animal-based protein. How ought to we be occupied with this?

Nyemb-Diop: General, I believe that plant-based consuming is a optimistic pattern. I can’t struggle towards this one. However I perceive that it’s complicated. It’s one thing that’s very optimistic for well being. So it’s one thing I’d encourage.

Tayag: Yeah, it’s positively complicated to view meals in such granular phrases. However that’s how numerous folks conceptualize it. What’s one of many largest misconceptions you hear about tips on how to eat?

Nyemb-Diop: Actually, one of many largest misconceptions—the very first thing I’m pondering now—is that you just shouldn’t eat carbs. That’s one of many issues I hear probably the most. And I actually breathe and attempt to clarify to folks why carbs are literally necessary. And you recognize, if you happen to’ve been consuming carbs most of your life, you’ll be wonderful. So, that’s one. And if you happen to like white rice—simply eat the white rice, add extra veggies on the aspect. You recognize, it’s extra easy than we expect. However I assume folks want somebody to remind them of that.

Tayag: My dad and mom are gonna love listening to you say that in the event that they wish to eat the white rice, they’ll simply eat the white rice. I’ve been attempting to get them to change to brown rice for years. [Laughs.]

Nyemb-Diop: Sure, that’s a giant query. I do know my purchasers love to listen to that—they only love me, once I say that you may eat the white rice, and you’ll add fiber in different methods. You recognize, it doesn’t must be by way of brown rice. I’d say, to me, the opposite false impression is that you ought to be very centered in your calorie consumption. I’m not saying your calorie consumption will not be necessary; you recognize, consuming sufficient or consuming an excessive amount of, it must be addressed. However all these diets—you assume they’re actually centered on, you recognize, well being? My understanding is that they’re actually centered on look, trying a sure approach.

[Music.]

Tayag: Natalie, as you recognize, I’m in the midst of attempting to determine a long-term nutritious diet for myself after a latest heart specialist appointment … she checked out my blood work and was like, okay, one thing wants to vary right here.

Brennan: I sort of miss your coronary heart monitor.

Tayag: You miss me being a cyborg?

Brennan: It was sort of cute!

Tayag: I don’t miss it, as a result of it’s made me actually aware about the best way I eat. After I was youthful, the one factor I actually thought of was energy. Energy are so ingrained into our meals consciousness from an early age. However now, my physician is anxious about my blood strain and my blood sugar and my ldl cholesterol, so I’m having to consider decreasing salt, switching to whole-grain bread, and even consuming oatmeal for fiber … I hate oatmeal!

Brennan: Really, nobody mentioned you HAVE to eat oatmeal!

Tayag: I do know, and really Dr. Nyemb-Diop helps me rethink this new shift in consuming. When she was speaking about wholesome methods of consuming and was like, “What do you really like? What do you take pleasure in consuming?” that reframed my strategy to my physician’s suggestions.

Brennan: Proper. I believe it may very well be actually useful to consider this as additive relatively than restrictive. So, what are the meals that you just take pleasure in? That delight you? That also slot in your physician’s suggestions, that you just wish to be consuming extra of and might refill extra of your plate, relatively than making switches that you just don’t take pleasure in?

Tayag: Proper; like, it is a weight loss program I’m going to must sustain for all times. It’s meant to forestall power illness. They’re in my genes. However I can’t be consuming oatmeal endlessly if I hate it. So now I’m occupied with methods I is perhaps already getting fiber, and the way I can simply do extra of that. I imply, I already eat a whole lot of beans … possibly there’s simply going to be extra of them in my future.

Brennan: I’ve bought some good bean recipes for you.

Tayag: Please ship them over!

Brennan: I believe it’s fascinating: In American tradition, there are two ways in which folks are likely to embrace huge adjustments of their consuming habits. One is for private efforts for weight reduction, and the opposite is when a doctor says they’ve a medical want to vary their weight loss program. We don’t have an excellent understanding of tips on how to embrace smaller, extra gradual age-specific adjustments as we age up.

Tayag: Proper; like Dr. Nyemb-Diop talked about that our dietary wants change as we become old. However I’ve by no means thought of that! I by no means noticed my dad and mom take into consideration that. They eat the identical now as they did 30 years in the past.

Brennan: Yeah?

Tayag: I’ve been doing a whole lot of analysis on this for my very own private well being, and there’s a research from Harvard and some different universities that got here out in March that I discovered to be actually useful. It checked out 30 years of knowledge on the meals habits of over 100,000 middle-aged adults.

Brennan: Whoa. And what did it discover?

Tayag: Okay, so getting extra plant-based meals, with low to reasonable consumption of wholesome animal-based meals was linked to a better chance of wholesome getting old—which they outlined as reaching age 70 with none main power illnesses, and having good cognitive, bodily, and psychological well being.

Brennan: Okay, so backing up Dr. Nyemb-Diop’s declare that plant-based … not only a pattern!

Tayag: Not a pattern, only a wholesome a part of a long-term weight loss program. However again to the Harvard research: One factor that I assumed was actually fascinating was that the research checked out eight totally different wholesome dietary patterns in midlife … and all of them have been related to wholesome getting old, which suggests there’s no single greatest technique to eat.

Brennan: Okay, so wholesome diets can be tailored to suit particular person wants and preferences. There’s no set rule guide. Wonderful information for you and oatmeal.

[Music.]

Nyemb-Diop: You aren’t presupposed to eat the identical approach all of your life; your tastes are gonna change. And simply strive to consider the best way you eat as one thing dynamic and versatile. You’re going to do your greatest to eat in a approach that’s aligned along with your, you recognize, values and your wants, more often than not. However there’s no good methods of consuming.

[Music out.]

Tayag: What you’re describing sounds to me rather a lot like intuitive consuming. You recognize, this concept that it’s best to eat what your physique tells you relatively than attempt to management your weight loss program. What are your ideas on it?

Nyemb-Diop: I believe it’s an fascinating strategy. It’s positively inspiring. Nonetheless, I’m not aligned on each single side, as a result of I believe that typically, relying in your circumstances, you do must assume just a little bit extra about the way you’re going to eat. I really feel intuitive consuming is actually geared towards somebody who has monetary privilege, when you’ll be able to afford to not actually take into consideration the way you’re gonna eat tomorrow, when you’ll be able to afford to focus in your internal starvation and fullness with out, you recognize—as a result of you recognize you’re gonna have meals on a regular basis.

Tayag: I typically hear intuitive consuming positioned because the polar reverse of conventional diets with strict limits on what and when and the way a lot you’ll be able to eat—that are nonetheless so fashionable. How does this present up with the folks you’re employed with?

Nyemb-Diop: So my purchasers are serial dieters; they arrive from years and years, many years, of weight-reduction plan and biking between, you recognize, from one weight loss program to a different. So I’m very conversant in that. And I believe that’s … you recognize, I perceive. When you consider it, diet can really feel overwhelming. And so it could be tough to navigate. And so, a weight loss program is a construction. It feels protected. In order that’s why individuals are attracted to those diets. However, you recognize, I’m attempting to demonstrat they’ll belief their instinct to nourish themself.

Tayag: So how do you educate folks tips on how to undertake that strategy to consuming?

Nyemb-Diop, I attempt to not see issues in black and white. You recognize, “You need to comply with a algorithm to nourish your self.” It’s extra nuances of grey. These are, you recognize, some ideas which can be true in diet, after which tips on how to make this a daily a part of your life with out being obsessive about it. What are your struggles? So, you recognize, it’s actually customized, I’d say. However step one is okay, when folks come to me, they “failed,” quote unquote, failed so many diets. And they also really feel they’re a failure. And so, step one is displaying them: They know, and they should deal with what they want, as a substitute of these guidelines that don’t … that aren’t a very good match.

Tayag: What wouldn’t it seem like for me, for instance, to construct wholesome consuming habits round my wants? I’m in my late 30s, and I’ve no time!

Nyemb-Diop: Sure, we’re about the identical age, and I do really feel that for myself as properly. You most likely have younger children to deal with. You will have getting old dad and mom; you’ve got a full-time job. You might be very busy. So I believe the very first thing I’m occupied with is, you recognize, conserving that in thoughts once I present suggestions. Generally I hear folks say “entire meals solely.” I like that, however is it really doable? Me, once I’m occupied with that actuality, I’m occupied with Let’s go to what’s sensible: the frozen part, precut greens. You have to be simple. We don’t have a lot time. So I believe time administration is a giant a part of diet at that age.

Tayag: Frozen spinach is a should in my freezer.

Nyemb-Diop: Sure; frozen spinach, being sensible. However I don’t assume there ought to be a giant change in the best way you eat until you’ve got a situation that the physician has recognized. However you recognize, I’d say, if you happen to comply with the final suggestion, you shouldn’t have to fret about these particulars.

Tayag: We’re going to take a brief break. However once we come again ….

Brennan: Why is everybody re-talking concerning the Blue Zones proper now?

[Midroll.]

Brennan: Yasmin, you recognize, we’ve been speaking rather a lot right here about not specializing in anyone particular weight loss program, proper? However as a substitute being versatile and dynamic and listening to your individual meals preferences. And it’s humorous, as a result of I’m seeing the Blue Zones pop up once more all over the place proper now. Which numerous folks consider as possibly the important thing to tips on how to be maintaining a healthy diet. However now, that concept is being challenged, proper? The Atlantic simply printed an episode on the podcast Good On Paper about this. I’m seeing article after article. Catch us up: Why is everybody re-talking concerning the Blue Zones proper now?

Tayag: The concept of the Blue Zones has been round for over 20 years now. It’s based mostly on this concept that there are these “zones” on the planet the place folks stay to be 100 or older—like Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; and Ikaria in Greece. What folks have actually centered on is what folks in these locations eat—numerous fruits, greens, entire grains, legumes—and the thought has was an entire model that now sells Blue Zone meals, cooking courses, even skincare now. However the cause why it’s within the information once more is as a result of this researcher, Saul Newman, seemed into information on excessive outdated age and argued that the Blue Zone idea is actually sketchy. Like, one in all his claims is that lots of people who have been mentioned to be 100 could not even have been that outdated. So it has raised some doubts about your entire idea altogether.

Brennan: I imply, I watched the Netflix particular, and I began consuming extra beans and attempting to stroll extra. However principally, I simply felt indignant that I don’t stay in a group the place these practices being mentioned have been the norm. That’s actually the largest takeaway, proper? Like, I’m undecided I can bean my approach into new approaches to city planning after which get centennial standing.

Tayag: Precisely. We’ve centered a lot on what folks in these locations eat—which is nice, principally the Mediterranean weight loss program—however what stands out to me is that these folks, whether or not they’re really 100 or simply very outdated, additionally stay in societies which can be totally different from the everyday American. They’ve a whole lot of outside time; they’ve bought numerous household round; their meals is native; they’ve time to nap! Like, if I might nap daily, I’d have a approach higher shot at residing to 100. However that’s the irritating factor concerning the reputation of the Blue Zones: Irrespective of how carefully you comply with the weight loss program, it doesn’t lock within the life-style that goes with it!

[Music.]

Brennan: So then: As a result of what we eat is without doubt one of the solely issues we really feel like we will management, we count on it to do a whole lot of issues for us. That’s a whole lot of strain to placed on our meals.

Tayag: That jogs my memory of this idea that’s develop into tremendous fashionable within the diet area: “meals as drugs.” Which I requested Dr. Nyemb-Diop about…

[Music out.]

Nyemb-Diop: So, meals as drugs. I believe first I’d wish to outline what it means, as a result of most likely what you simply described is the assumption that consuming sure meals can forestall or heal illnesses. And so, you recognize, I’m a nutritionist as a result of I consider within the therapeutic energy of meals. I do consider meals can help power, immunity, temper, and long-term well being. However my subject is that food-as-medicine discourse is that it framed meals as a person drawback. It focuses an excessive amount of on particular person accountability, and never sufficient on the methods that create meals environments within the first place. And so to me, typically it could shift that rigidity away from the coverage change, like investing in equitable meals methods, addressing structural inequalities. So sure: I help the idea, however provided that it’s framed as a part of a broader resolution that features systemic change.

Tayag: It does look like there’s a whole lot of strain on the person to make meals decisions for themselves, however there are necessary communal features to consuming, too, proper? How does that issue into the way you focus on meals decisions with purchasers?

Nyemb-Diop: Once we speak about cooking, we instantly perceive the group or the sharing side of cooking—you recognize, cooking for others. However once we speak about diet, it’s at all times framed in an individualistic body, that You need to eat this on your well being. However whenever you really convey the 2 collectively, you understand that, typically nourishing your self, you’ll be able to have help. So, it’s not solely you; it’s your help, the help system that may assist you make higher decisions. And you recognize, if I take into consideration simply children’ diet—my very own instance, you recognize, whenever you work with children, particularly toddlers, we speak rather a lot about choosy consuming. And one thing I’ve observed, and we all know children are likely to imitate their dad and mom. And in my husband’s tradition, we are likely to eat on a communal plate. And what I’ve observed is that my children eat far more fruit and greens once we eat on a communal plate, once we eat collectively, than once I give them a plate on their very own. So these are, you recognize, methods to simply eat more healthy. I used to be skilled in France, the place tradition, group side, consuming across the desk are embedded in our understanding of diet. I don’t assume right here, it’s as a lot. However it’s positively one thing I’d deal with.

Tayag: How does it have an effect on the way you research meals habits right here? Is it like a superpower, the place you’ll be able to see precisely what’s going mistaken right here?

Nyemb-Diop: Sure. A little bit bit. I’m on the interface of various meals cultures. And so being on the interface offers me that superpower. Not essentially coming from outdoors, however simply understanding that tradition, and the best way meals connects us is so necessary. It offers me that superpower. I’ve to say, it has been a cultural shock for me once I moved to the USA just a few years in the past. So with regards to, you recognize, discovering different methods, or discovering different options or innovating, it’s positively an asset. And to me, it’s very fascinating, for instance, when folks really feel so responsible as a result of they eat after a sure time, after 8 p.m. When, in my nation the place I grew up, you recognize, dinner’s at 8:30. To me it’s fascinating and really fascinating, however it’s one of many the reason why I like what I do. And it triggers some very fascinating conversations. It’s helped me take into consideration totally different choices with regards to wholesome consuming.

Tayag: You recognize, your deal with on social media is “black.nutritionist.” Are you able to inform me about that selection?

[Music.]

Nyemb-Diop: After I moved into the USA, I moved right into a majority African American space. And what occurred is each time, you recognize, I used to be introducing myself saying I used to be a nutritionist. Folks have been like A nutritionist? I by no means met a Black nutritionist. And I heard that so many instances that I noticed it was really one thing to be a Black nutritionist. It meant one thing to folks. I realized after that, you recognize, solely 3 p.c of dieticians and nutritionists are Black nutritionists. And naturally, you recognize, I went by way of the diet curriculum. I at all times felt just a little bit like an outsider. At all times felt that, you recognize—that, let’s say, deal with the Mediterranean weight loss program was not essentially tremendous good. And I at all times felt that approach, and I noticed a chance to say, Okay, let’s construct one thing, and let’s handle a number of the questions which can be necessary to us. That is really who I’m. I’m a Black lady. I like diet, I like meals, and I’ve the coaching, and I’ve the cultural understanding to do one thing particular for my group.

Tayag: Effectively, thanks a lot for this wonderful chat.

Nyemb-Diop: Thanks a lot.

Tayag: Actually beautiful to speak to you.

[Music.]

Brennan: Yas, I believe this dialog has helped me assume rather a lot about trusting my very own instinct—I do know what’s wholesome, I do know what meals work for me. And there’s no singular meals pattern or ingredient that’s going to revolutionize my weight loss program for wholesome getting old.

Tayag: Identical.

Brennan: However, you recognize, everybody has their very own relationship to meals. And for me, one thing that has been actually useful in eliminating meals guilt, or fixed obsession, is considering meals, typically, as an expertise. Are you aware the poet Frank O’Hara?

Tayag: I do know that you’re sitting throughout from me in a T-shirt with Frank O’Hara’s face on it!

Brennan: Appropriate—I’m obsessive about him.

Tayag: I can inform. [Laughs.]

Brennan: And a giant cause for that’s as a result of his poem “Having a Coke With You” has develop into a sort of psalm for me.

Tayag: I’m undecided I do know that one.

Brennan: There’s a recording of him studying the poem himself, and I’ve listened to it so many instances, that with out even attempting, I’ve the poem memorized. He begins by saying “Having a Coke with you is much more enjoyable than…”

Brennan: After which he lists the entire issues that sharing a soda together with his liked one is best than. And, you recognize, he takes it one step additional. He begins to query what good is all of the analysis when it could’t seize an expertise with any person you like. The works of the Impressionists, Futurists, Michelangelo. None of it compares.

Tayag: None of them nearly as good as sharing a drink with somebody you like.

Brennan: Precisely.

Tayag:  Yeah; I imply, that is smart to me. And I believe it’s necessary for us to do not forget that, you recognize, after all what we eat is necessary for our diet and our well being and our lifespan. However it additionally issues when and the place and with whom you’re consuming it.

Brennan: Yeah.

Tayag: Like, you possibly can have probably the most wonderful, plant-based, nutritionally enough weight loss program. However if you happen to’re consuming it alone on a regular basis—that’s not gonna be nice for you. After I take into consideration the meals recollections which can be most necessary to me, they actually have much less to do with the meals than with the context, proper?

Brennan: Yeah.

Tayag: Like my favourite meals reminiscence is from once I was, like, 7 years outdated. I used to be swimming in my cousin’s outside pool within the Philippines with all of my little cousins, and one of many aunties had a kind of grilled-cheese makers by the aspect of the pool, and she or he was simply whipping out these little grilled-sardines sandwiches! And simply handing them out to us recent outta the pool. And we might be so hungry, and it was simply so heat and salty. And that, to me, was the happiest meals second.

Brennan: And that’s rather a lot coming from you, a foodie.

Tayag: Yeah. You recognize, give me the sardines on toast.

Brennan: Yeah. Or you recognize, for me—each on occasion—a Coke. The poem has given me a whole lot of permission to do not forget that meals isn’t simply at all times about its elements; it’s additionally about ceremony and connection, and delighting in what’s shared.

Tayag: The marvelous expertise of sharing a meal … not wasted on me both, Mr. O’Hara!

Brennan: And I’ll let you know, and let you know, and let you know about it.

[Music.]

Tayag: That’s all for this episode of Tips on how to Age Up. This episode was hosted by me, Yasmin Tayag, and co-hosted and produced by Natalie Brennan. Our editors are Claudine Ebeid and Jocelyn Frank. Reality-check by Ena Alvarado. Our engineer is Rob Smierciak. Rob additionally composed a number of the music for this present. The chief producer of audio is Claudine Ebeid, and the managing editor of audio is Andrea Valdez.

Brennan: Subsequent time on Tips on how to Age Up:

Tayag: What we will be taught from intergenerational partnerships, to age up collectively. We’ll be again with you on Monday.