Most of us live in a world in which food is all around us for the taking. Yet our DNA is still programmed for scarcity. Human evolution lags behind. And so it is that excess weight has become Public Enemy No. 1.

In the fight against obesity, what usually gets emphasized is what you should and shouldn’t eat. In fact, though, what you eat isn’t that important, as long as you do it in moderation. Restraint is the key to a long, healthy life.

The good news is there’s a fun way to eat less: Do it in company. In fact, chowing down with others promotes healthy food intake in general. Poor eaters consume more, and overeaters control themselves better.

So make a big pot of soup and invite some friends over, and you’ll immediately increase your chances of living a long, healthy life. That’s especially true if the soup contains lentils—they’re rich in fiber, which scrubs your intestines clean, binding cholesterol as it goes.

Cook some red lentils in plenty of water until done. Pan-fry vegetables (perhaps onions, leeks, pumpkin or spinach) with your favorite spices (say, coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, chili peppers and/or lemongrass). Stir into the lentils and season to taste.

Toast a few thick pieces of brown bread and thinly slice an unsprayed lemon. Lay a piece of toast in each soup bowl. Ladle the soup over the toast and place one or more lemon slices in each bowl. To your health! | Elbrich Fennema

Photo: Pieter de Swart