Limited Choices - 10 Foods or Fewer

   By ChefErin  Jan 08, 2009
71

Gourmet Magazine recently published an interesting statistic: "one out of five Americans lives on a diet of ten foods or fewer. Among the most common choices? French fries, fried chicken, chocolate chip cookies and Kraft macaroni and cheese."

Ten foods or fewer. Wow. I just don’t think I could do it. Almost every meal I cook involves a recipe that I’ve never tried before. I realize this may make me something of a culinary daredevil, but I was stunned by the thought of such limitation.

I fully embrace the idea of comfort foods - food you’ve liked forever; a recipe you know by heart, something easy to put on the table when you have to have dinner ready in an hour. I have my share of fall-backs tucked into the recesses of my brain, but to cook or eat only those foods week after week would drive me batty.

Still, the idea got me thinking. If I could only have ten foods, what would they be? First, I thought about exotic items, food I save for special occasions like caviar or lobster. If you are going to be limited, at least indulge, right? Then I thought about comfort foods like chili or mashed potatoes and gravy. Who could live without them?

Finally I started a list, basic things that I could rotate through. This is what I’d pick: Steak, Pork Tenderloin, Salmon, Spinach, Arugula, Cheese (am I supposed to pick only one???) potatoes, chocolate, tomatoes and mushrooms. I could stick to this list only if herbs, spices and seasonings (including onions, shallots and garlic) were unlimited.

How about you?  Do you find yourself eating the same ten foods?  If you had to choose just ten, what would they be?

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truskaweczka65 by truskaweczka65 | bloomfield, NJ
Jun 26, 2009

We love veggies with chicken boild potatoes cilantro and tomatoe sauce:)

lilbit58 by lilbit58 | EVANS, WV
Jun 24, 2009

I forgot to add that I steam all my veggies, and always season them with garlic,cheese, or some form of dressing! low fat ranch and Italian is awesome

lilbit58 by lilbit58 | EVANS, WV
Jun 24, 2009

My top 10 are: melons,cheese,any form of beans, and then I have to have fresh corn bread, chicken,turkey,all of the vagtables...Milk and yogart,angel hair pasta!

Jere2911 by Jere2911 | ANNA, TX
Jun 24, 2009

I'm a variety girl as well. I tried, but I can't just name ten. If you made me pick, I think I'd have a panic attack, because I like my food. I am not big on sweets. But I do have to have my one Dr. Pepper each day. It's my weakness. Speaking of. . . I haven't had lunch yet, and I'm hungry.

Josie101 by Josie101 | ROCKWELL, NC
Jun 24, 2009

My top 10 would be -Diet Mountain Dew, Milk, Potatoes, Strawberries, Corn on the Cob, Chicken, Beef, Pork, Chocolate candy, Brown & Serve rolls :P Too bad i can't pick 11 foods because i'd love some butter for my corn & rolls...LOL.

adens_mommy77 by adens_mommy77 | Geneva, AL
Jun 22, 2009

It's hard to trim it down to just 10 foods! I think I would have to choose: steak, potatoes, watermelon, ice cream, broccoli, pasta, tomatoes, cheese, BUTTER, and bread. Yummo!

darcyh5 by darcyh5 | minot, ND
Jun 22, 2009

WOW! 10 items, that is hard, because I love to cook, and I love to try new things. I would have to say beef, eggs, tomatoes, milk, cheese, low carb flour tortillas, pasta, lettuce, mayo, and tuna.

TRICIA22 by TRICIA22 | BOSTON, MA
Jun 22, 2009

I like to try a variety of foods, if I had to just choose ten it would be nachos, ice cream, milk, veggie's, cheese, fiber cereal, fiber one chocolate fudge toaster pastry, whole grain rasin bread, thinned slice honey roasted turkey, and miracle whip light mayonnaise. I don't like to cook much, but at times I do. I love to eat out !

KateKate by KateKate | Norristown, PA
Jun 21, 2009

Well as I read some of these "Top Tens" I am thinking that I am either reallllllllllly unhealthy compared to some people OR am normal since others have foods that I would easily pick. Okay, so that being said, mine are: chicken and pork (I could live without beef...I hardly eat it anyway), bread (too hard to live without), peanut butter, jelly, diet pepsi, potatoes, broccoli, chips and since I am seemingly unhealthy anyways to hell with it---Ramen (technically I call it oodles and noodles haha but most people don't so Ramen it is) ...I am also obviously assuming spices and herbs are included in these 10 since they are not foods :-) That way I could could potatoes, meat and broccoli in a variety of ways!

FrugalSheSpoke by FrugalSheSpoke | Louisville, KY
Jun 19, 2009

Ten foods that rock are avocadoes, alaskan salmon, red bell peppers, kosher dill pickles, rice, sharp cheddar cheese, blueberries, chocolate, sourdough bread, and hard salami. They are delicious and cover all the food groups!

ChefErin by ChefErin | SEATTLE, WA
Jun 19, 2009

Funny how many of us have chocolate on our lists!

InternetMom13 by InternetMom13 | Rochester, NY
Jun 19, 2009

If I was limited to only 10 foods I'd have to go with spinach, asparagus, pasta, tomatoes, brown rice, chicken breasts, eggs, dark chocolate and dark chocolate and more dark chocolate!

jaj1969 by jaj1969 | Eaton Rapids, MI
Jun 17, 2009

My ten would have to include dark chocolate. Other than that, I think I could stick to your list. It is easy to get into a rut and not try new things. People will feel so much better if they eat fresh foods. Great article.

KsFoodie by KsFoodie | Wichita, KS
Jan 29, 2009

I could limit myself to 10 categories but not just 10 foods. I have at least 10 different vegetables in my fridge right now. We eat very little meat, lots of fish, whole grain pasta, fruits, beans, nuts, and all those veg and more. I couldn't cook without garlic or olive oil and lots of flavorful herbs. I also like things like tofu and hot peppers, but my husband won't touch them. We enjoy all ethnic cuisines and are pretty adventurous diners. Throw in some crusty bread and a good red wine and I'm set.

laura264 by laura264 | KALISPELL, MT
Jan 28, 2009

Tha'ts actually a great way to get back on track and lose weight. Make a list of your 10 foods and sort out which ones are no-no's. Then try to replace them with foods you should eat. Seems like a cheaper alternative than paying $500 for JG to tell you which foods you should eat.