Last night we fired up the outdoor grill and it was “Steak Night” at the Posner household. I did overestimate how much steak was needed and we wound up with a bunch of extra steak. Watching us on the deck intently from the kitchen area, when I opened the screen door allowing our dog and 2 cats to come outside, the animals quickly understood it became “steak night” for them as well. As I fed them it became clear that they would continue to feast as long as the food was available. Animals tend to act much more “instinctually” than the higher intelligent humans.
BUT…we do need to also understand that some human behaviors are influenced greatly by instinctual patterns as well. The recent empty toilet paper, cleaners and chicken breasts shelves at the markets sort of proves this point…faced with the “threat” of a lack of supply due to snow, other weather events or pandemics, the human “survival” instinctual behaviors kick in., resulting in hoarding.
Focusing on weight control, we must all be cognizant of our “instinctual” side. Our primitive ancestors probably did not know when the next “kill” may take place, so when food was available, instincts had them eating beyond the point of satiation. These types of eating behaviors are still present in our instinctual parts of our brains, leading to us often eating way beyond our “needs”.
Even though we are the highest life form on the earth we still have our behaviors influenced by instincts. When it comes to eating and drinking behaviors, allow that “smart” part of the brain to override the instinctual part.
