Food lifestyles

[Tradd]

As for fun I ocassionally have the desire to follow the food restrictions of various religions for a period of time: orthodox lent, ramadan, etc. which is no doubt quite inappropriate as I'm not of those religious traditions but then if that's the case why should anyone care how I eat?

Orthodox Lent (actually, it's about half the year, four longer periods such as Great Lent, with most every Wednesday & Friday) is nothing more than going mostly vegan, with some shellfish/fish thrown in. Essentially just take away meat and dairy. Don't eat past fullness. Take the money you save from eating more simply to help those in need. That is all.

Try it if you want, it doesn't offend me.

[Gardenarian]

Yes, I feel confused! I have no idea what I am supposed to eat anymore! My health is not great and I have always tried to eat well - lots of veg, fruit, beans, no alcohol, sugar, caffeine.

I even feel like our water (treated with chlorine and chloramines) is unhealthy, but who knows what's in the water filters?

DD has a little eczema and a mild sensory disorder, and people keep telling me to take her off gluten, dairy, use supplements, etc. I'm considering going to a naturopath for her because I do want her to have optimal health, but I'm really not sure what that is any more!

One thing I'm pretty sure about - sugar is pretty bad.
That's about the only firm conclusion I've reached in all these diet controversies! (And it's the one thing DD can't live without...)

[Zoebird]

A naturopath is a good place to start, as they do focus a lot on nutrition and will work with you to figure things out. The protocols that my husband is on due to our naturopath has really helped him.

Elimination diets can also help you determine where sensitivities may lie. It's not easy to find all of them, to be honest. Allergy testing can work, but often only goes so far.

[Zoebird]

I also agree with Tradd. No religious person I know is offended to have a non-religious try out aspects of their way of life. One of my orthodox jewish friends loves it when people adopt an aspect of her way of life to "try things on." She sees it as a compliment and an opportunity to share some of the special things about how she lives. For example, I did hair covering for a month to honor an achievement of hers. It was actually harder than it sounds, but then by about day 10, it was second nature. We also did a kosher-keeping time as well, that was fun.

I have kept ramadan with friends of mine, and another friend of mine took me through the major hindu festivals that her family celebrates (even making smaller altars at my house!).

It can be a lot of fun.

[Joyous_5]

I DO know what you mean. I've been thinking lately that we Americans have turned food/health/nutrition into a sport. Sometimes it feels full contact (like when everyone at a family dinner chimes in about how unhealthy the food you're eating is!). I think it's great that there is so much research being done--though I read recently that scientists are now releasing information after preliminary findings, where they used to wait until many years and more detailed research.

Anyway, I love food, and I do love to talk about it and health. BUT I also know my limits. I know when it's gone from, "gee, this is fun," to "yikes." There are many different ways of eating for many different types of people. And sometimes one way of eating is right for you at one time in your life and not for another. It's cyclical, I think.

I hear ya, Tiam. Glad you posted this as sometimes I feel like I'm on a crazy train to foodopolis! (Especially online)

[Miss Cellane]

I DO know what you mean. I've been thinking lately that we Americans have turned food/health/nutrition into a sport. Sometimes it feels full contact (like when everyone at a family dinner chimes in about how unhealthy the food you're eating is!). I think it's great that there is so much research being done--though I read recently that scientists are now releasing information after preliminary findings, where they used to wait until many years and more detailed research.

Anyway, I love food, and I do love to talk about it and health. BUT I also know my limits. I know when it's gone from, "gee, this is fun," to "yikes." There are many different ways of eating for many different types of people. And sometimes one way of eating is right for you at one time in your life and not for another. It's cyclical, I think.

I hear ya, Tiam. Glad you posted this as sometimes I feel like I'm on a crazy train to foodopolis! (Especially online)

Re: the bolded. It's gotten to the point where I don't enjoy inviting a group of people over for dinner, which is something I loved to do. My own family is fine, they will pretty much eat anything and if they can't eat a specific dish, they just don't eat it, without making a fuss.

And I don't mind cooking for vegetarians or vegans or someone who's avoiding gluten or soy or eggs or whatever. But when you invite 5 people over for dinner and 4 of them have special requests, it starts to be less fun choosing recipes. The last get-together I had there were guests who could not eat salt, soy, gluten, peanuts, or dairy. Plus one person was eating Paleo and one was on Weight Watchers and one was a vegan. While one or two of these wouldn't have been much of an issue, it starts to get difficult finding something that everyone can eat. I ended up with two main dishes, one vegan, one not, and a variety of side dishes, plus salad and homemade bread and butter, in the hopes that everyone could find enough food so that they wouldn't go home hungry. But I cooked a lot more food than I normally would have, to accommodate all the medical issues, and it was more work than I had thought it would be. And I don't think there was much except the vegetables and salad that could be eaten by everyone. Apparently, the days when you can put a lasagne or pot roast, salad, bread and wine on the table, followed by ice cream and cookies, are gone.

[KayLR]

I hear ya, too....it DOES feel like a hobby or sport or something sometimes, with a tinge of superiority at times from those who think their way of eating is THE way. Ugh.

The latest thing I heard from a friend of a friend is how BAD, I mean TERRIBLE soy is for you, unless it's fermented. Has anyone heard this?

[Gardenarian]

Apparently, the days when you can put a lasagne or pot roast, salad, bread and wine on the table, followed by ice cream and cookies, are gone.

Yep.
The last pot luck I went to I brought baked potatoes, as it was the only thing I thought no one would object to (no Paleos in this crowd.) Luckily it was outside on a chilly day and plain hot baked potatoes tasted like ambrosia.

[Gardenarian]

The latest thing I heard from a friend of a friend is how BAD, I mean TERRIBLE soy is for you, unless it's fermented. Has anyone heard this?

Yes - one of my friends drinks soy milk every day because she says it helps with her menopause symptoms; my dh follows Dr. Mercola and thinks it's poison. I have no idea.
?

[awakenedsoul]

Miss Cellane,
What a shame. I would love to have that kind of a meal. People always act surprised when I tell them that I eat everything. (Well, I don't really like fish, but I will eat everything else.) Because I'm lean, they always seem to assume that I'm a vegetarian and that I don't eat any sugar, fats, etc.
I notice many of the people that have rigid diets look to me as if they want approval for being gluten free, or whatever. I just let it pass and don't comment. I think it's rude to be so difficult over food. It's just one meal...