So, for her to interfere with my personal health issue is not only aggravatingly stressful, it's also irrelevant. In terms of my disagreement regarding my health concerns (whether it be about my weight or what I eat) with my mother, she has a chronic condition; I don't. I will not make the same mistake my father made. He would sometimes go without sleep or food. Most often than not, he ate snacks and soda instead of a good balanced meal.
My mother had always complained how skinny I was (from age 7 to 14) and that I was not eating enough. Honestly, my mother never portioned my meals according to my age when I was growing up. I would always cry when she had to force me to finish the food on my plate especially when she had already given me 3 servings. She would use pictures of starving African children to point out that I should be thankful for having food at all. I got the sentiment, but not the logic since over feeding your child is as worse as starving them. I was grateful that my body burnt and processed food really fast. I was a very active person too. Believe me, I used to eat 5 servings of various entrees at a buffet line including 3 servings of dessert.
Since 1999 I've learned how to portion my meals based on how hungry I was. For 12 years whenever I dined out, I would eat half the portion I'm given. I'm a very resourceful person especially when it concerns my health. When I was pregnant, I ate a full meal. Depending on how good the food was, I would get second servings. After I had grown in some curves from my first pregnancy, my mother began to complain how fat I have become. I am not fat. I never was to begin with. I'm not on denial either. Since my first high cholesterol scare, I stopped adding oil, salt, sugar and used less butter when I cook. That was 14 years ago.
Around October of 2012, I started following the Life Choice Program. It is not a diet program. It is more to reset your eating habits back to the basics (before TV and Internet existed). No calorie counting needed. All you need is a cup and the fist of your hand. Of course, self-control. Changing my eating habits definitely shaved off some weight. I went from a size 10 to a comfortable sexy size 8. This was all done in one year. I also have been moderately active, so the "preggie tummy" will be gone eventually.
Diet never came across my mind until my gallbladder surgery. After a year of health trials, I have come to realize that bland food is not my forte. I had to eat bland food for 6 whole months. Poultry, fish and sea food had to become my main source of proteins. Regular visits to the bathroom has become a ritual. I realize at this point my body was holding all that waste for no reason. (Yes, I get the joke. I was full of shit.) Eating beef has become a reward all on its own. It has now become my entree for special occasions only, including ice cream and pop corn. I don't eat as much when I dine out either. I have noticed that I could eat three quarters of the portion some of the time. Often times, I could only eat a quarter or half of the portion. There are some restaurants I am unable to dine at anymore; such as KFC and McDonald's.
About some time last September, I was able to eat burgers from Burger King and 5 Guys. However, the burger from Carl's Jr (Hardee's) did not sit too well with me. That was about the time I stopped taking the nausea and pain killers all together. I am still not able to handle spicy food. I have yet to return to eating sushi. That would be another venture when I am insured again. There are some food items at the store I can eat. As long as it does not contain any type of milk, cream, hydrogenated oil, trans fat, saturated fat, butter, mayonnaise, cheese, eggs, peanut butter (*sob*), enriched flour, bleached flour, pork, processed meat or MSG.
I also found out that there are certain milkshakes and ice cream I can eat without getting sick. The egg nog was delicious when I drank it last night, but that didn't sit too well with my digestive system. At least, I didn't have to take my nausea medicine. On another note, I had to take some during thanksgiving dinner after eating the duck I roasted.
Needless to say, dieting is not what it cracks up to be. Being healthy is basically just listening to your body, eating a well-balanced diet and having self-control. The reason why my gallbladder got sick in the first place was having those bad eating habits. Skipping breakfast was one of them.
For once, listening to my mother nagging, "You should eat breakfast since it is the important meal of the day," isn't as bad as it sounds. Other than that, I'm sticking to the program which has worked for me thus far. Since she took it upon herself to purchase a diet program that focus on low caloric meals. It is not advisable for someone who no longer has a gallbladder to do so. I know she's trying to be a mother with good intentions, but I cannot stress enough to her that I am doing fine on my own. I cannot allow myself to get famished or skimp on good food. It would make my liver over worked and stressed out since the doctor made me aware that I have a fatty liver. He did not make it sound like it was a critical health concern, but more of a health awareness knowledge base.
It has been 6 years now since my last high cholesterol scare. My doctor said that I may be out of shape, but I am healthy. So, I'm not going to tell you to throw your hands up and give up your diet. I would rather have you listen to your doctor and nutritionist than those fast solution diet scheme companies are selling you. It's obvious enough as it is that what they are aiming for is the money in your pocket, which you're trying so darn hard to save for a rainy day.
I have read other health blogs about the post cholecystectomy diets. People have different results after their surgery. So, I shall stick to what works for me. I hope you enjoy your lifestyle as much as I do mine. Thanks for reading. Bon appetite, mon amie!
Drafted on the 6th of January 2014
