April 15th, 2008
Twas Once My Pleasure
This won’t be the last time you hear me whine about this, but there always has to be a first time, right? I have been instructed to lower my cholesterol - and to begin making diet changes that are lower in fat and cholesterol. Oh, and while I’m at making changes, it’s also been suggested that I reduce processed carbs. I tell you, I am struggling because the one thing I could always find pleasure in no matter how far from home I roamed was food.
It isn’t that I always choose high calorie, high fat menu options…in fact I love fish, veggies and fruit. But I am also a lover of cheeses and steaks and incredibly yummy sauces. I will confess that my favorite guilty pleasure is the incredibly tasty cheeseburgers and fresh cut fries found at Five Guys in Alexandria, Va.
I do take my health seriously, though, and because I have no desire to have a heart attack or stroke, I am making changes.
To be honest, dining out and trying new dishes has often been a wonderful adventure. Three years ago, I had never had raw oysters, sushi, or red wine… It has become second nature to take a chance on the chef’s special or try a tasting menu. Now, though, eating out has become more agony than pleasure - and considering I eat out 90% of the time, I am struggling. I never realized how much additional fat restaurants add with butter and sauces. And think you are making a good choice by choosing the salad marked “healthy choice”? Not when you realize they add a cup of cheese and more dressing than the State of Iowa would want to consume in a day.
“On the Side” has become a common saying from my mouth. And I feel like I am giving the wait staff the third degree on how a meat is prepared and what they are putting on the supposedly steamed veggies.
I am determined, though, to make a difference in my health. I mean, who besides me can truly control what goes into my body? I have three months to reduce my cholesterol and my waistline before we begin to talk about other measures. I’ll keep you informed.
