The New Challenge of Buffets: Social Thinking Triggered by Satiety Agents
Bring your own big pot to eat buffet, do you know this wave of operation?
Have you heard of it? There is a buddy who actually brought his own big pot to eat at the buffet!
This operation is simply the "flying fairy" in the buffet industry! As you can imagine, this "innovator" was invited out by the restaurant staff and cooled.
That's not all! After some heated discussions among netizens, they discovered a new continent: satiety!
Wait, what the hell? Satiety? Does this thing really exist? Isn't it a prop out of a science fiction movie?
Filled with curiosity, we decided to explore this magical "new world" in depth. You ready? Let's start this brain-opening food technology journey together!
The dilemma of the buffet industry: is it really that good to eat?
Speaking of buffets, do you immediately think of the word "all-you-can-eat"?
That's right, that's the beauty of buffets. This seemingly perfect business model actually has a hidden mystery.
The buffet does give customers a lot of autonomy. Whatever you want, it's a foodie's paradise! This freedom also brings with it a big problem: waste.
Some people are eager to empty the entire restaurant in order to "eat back". The result? The food that can't be eaten can only be poured out, it's a tyrannical thing!
Cafeterias are faced with the challenge of cost control. After all, no one knows if the next guest who walks through the door will be a "bird's stomach" or a "gluttonous reincarnation".
In order to cope with these problems, many cafeterias have begun to take various measures. Dining for a limited time? No problem! Charge by weight? Come on!
Will these measures really solve the problem? Or do we need to fundamentally rethink the buffet model?
Satiety: The collision of technology and diet
Okay, now let's talk about that amazing "New World": satiety.
Sounds lofty, doesn't it? Actually, satiety supplements are nothing new.
The dietary fiber you usually eat is a natural satiety agent. It makes you feel full, but it doesn't add too many calories. It's a blessing for people who are losing weight!
Scientists aren't resting on their laurels. They are developing more high-tech artificial satiety.
Imagine eating a tiny capsule that can fool your stomach and make you feel like you're full. Doesn't that sound cool?
Don't get too excited, though. This high-tech satiety is still in the development stage and there may be some potential risks.
After all, "cheating" your own body doesn't sound very reliable, right?
So the question arises: do we really need to rely on this "plug-in" to control our appetite? Does this mean that something is wrong with our food culture?
Technological innovation: edible vibrating capsules, do you dare to try?
When it comes to high-tech satiety, there's one thing that must be mentioned: edible vibrating capsules.
Sounds like a prop out of a science fiction movie, right? But it's not just a mess!
MIT scientists have developed a gadget called VIBES. What is this? It is an edible vibrating bioelectronic stimulator.
To put it simply, it's a little capsule that will dance in your belly. Once it enters the stomach, it begins to vibrate, stimulating the receptors in the stomach lining.
And then what? Your brain will receive a signal of "I'm full". This operation is simply a deception to the stomach 101!
Don't rush to call MIT to make a reservation, though. It's still experimental.
And, think about it, don't you think it's weird to eat a capsule that dances in your stomach?
Reflections on Food Culture: Do We Really Need "Plug-ins"?
At the end of the day, whether you bring your own large basin or use satiety, it reflects a kind of anxiety about eating in modern people.
In this age of material abundance, we seem to have forgotten what it is like to be "hungry" and instead begin to worry about eating too much.
Isn't that a bit of putting the cart before the horse?
The ancients said: "You don't get tired of eating, and you don't get tired of being fine." This means that you should pay attention to the quality of your food, not the quantity.
This dietary wisdom is still very instructive today.
So, how do we stay rational in the face of a tempting buffet?
You can try the "small plate strategy". Serving food on small plates can visually give yourself the illusion of "eating a lot".
You can drink plenty of water or soup. This will both hydrate and increase satiety.
Finally, remember the process of enjoying your meal. Savor each bite slowly and feel the taste and texture of the food.
Not only does this increase satisfaction, but it also gives the body enough time to sense the satiety signal.
Buffets are more than just all-you-can-eat
Looking back at the history of buffets, it was originally designed to give customers the freedom to choose what they liked.
But now, the buffet seems to have turned into a "the more you eat, the better you get" competition. Not only does this mindset lead to waste, but it can also have a negative impact on health.
In fact, the real gastronomic experience should not only be based on quantity, but also on quality and enjoyment.
The next time you're standing in front of a cafeteria meal, ask yourself: Do I really need to eat that much?
The process of enjoying food is more important than simply pursuing quantity. After all, life is like a buffet, the important thing is not to eat more, but to eat well.
So, instead of dwelling on how to eat more, learn how to eat better. That's the real foodie spirit, right?