My name is Cameronprof and I am a food addict.
They say the way to a man’s heart is thru his stomach, and that is true times 100 for me.
I admit that I have “odd” eating habits. I really don’t like Italian or other European food… but give me authentic Chinese food, Korean, Vietnamese and I have died and gone to heaven.
For both health and religious reasons I am trying to reign in my eating.
Health: I have, like many Mericans, a love of processed food, cheese, easy to nuke and eat crap. I, for health reasons, cannot stand and cook, so I often rely on either (healthy) food that friends/relatives prepare for me or (unhealthy) fast food or other restaurant foods.
I was raised Reform Jewish, and as I’ve gotten older I am trying to become more religious. One such way is to keep a more Kosher diet. I can easily give up pork products. Well, not easily but without too much effort….but…
I could live off the sea and its critters. From Filipino Milkfish to shrimp and scallops and lobster...to eel and squid and jellyfish I often dream of sea food.
The problem is, a lot of it is non-kosher. Eating kosher foods in general is healthier for me anyway. Since I’ve gone the Kosher route (I get Kosher meals on wheels delivered to me daily) I have noticed more energy and lower blood sugars almost immediately.
But I am having a hard time giving up the sea stuff I mentioned above. I just struggle and struggle. Its like taking a day at a time.
Due to my illnesses and my meds I weigh way too much. So eating better is going to be a lifesaver.
But how do you go about giving up your comfort? I quit smoking in 2008 but it was not this tough. I mean, I did not need tobacco to live, unlike with food. Plus for me the reason I was able to quit smoking, the one tenet I used, would not work for the food issue. I hated having to rely on something to bring me happiness, i.e. smoking. I hated having to plan my life around making sure I did not run out of smokes….I realized smoking was leading my life...not me. So I refused to be a slave to something so I quit and do not regret it. But food? I need food to live. I have to be a slave to food in a way. I admit I can and have to give up the unhealthy/unkosher stuff but it is not as cut and dry as giving up smoking.
Plus due to the 7 gut issues I have, I have to watch what I eat anyway. I cannot turn to a heavy veggie and fruit diet… unless my gut wants to pay the price. I can eat cooked veggies, but salads and other uncooked veggies are a big no no.
I have been under the care of a dietician in the past. The problem is finding a diabetic diet that is crohn’s friendly and vice versa.
So with all the caveats above, I am asking….what has helped you in changing your diet?