Folks some of you know that some foods walk into the room wearing costumes.

Meat can be the sideways gunslinger. It is not always the villain, but it does need watching. Too much swagger, too often, and suddenly the plate starts looking like a standoff, with cholesterol is hiding in the corner.

Then there is the donut.

The donut is a sweet charming Southern lady with bad intentions. She smiles, she smells wonderful, and she may even call you “honey.” But before you know it, she has talked your better judgment into the back seat and is driving toward Consequence County with the windows down, and you forgot your metformin today. (Have you taken your meds today? Run go do it I’ll wait)

Food does not have to become a religion; it also does not need to become a dare. Now if your granddaughter double dog dares you its best to give her hug and I love you and send her home to her mama. That is a whole other story, but I digress back to the article.

I have learned to pay attention. Some foods help me, some foods punish me. While other foods are technically fine for somebody else, but not worth the trouble for me.

That right there is where wisdom needs to sit down at the table.

For me, the better plate usually looks plain enough: greens, kale, beans, maybe a little beef, and enough common sense to keep the stomach from hiring a lawyer. Not flashy. Not dramatic. Not pretending to save the world by Thursday. Just a hint Greek yogurt and spicey hot sauce really brings the plate back to the roost to rest.

Y’all we just need food we can live with.

Eat what helps you. Pay attention to what punishes you. Don’t turn food into a religion or a dare.