I have a feeling this post is going to be all over the place, and I’m okay with that. I think I have eaten out more times in the past week with my detox restrictions than I do in most typical weeks. In addition to last week’s visit to Root Down, I have managed to enjoy good food and good company at brunch hotspot Snooze, Table 6, Highland Tap & Burger (the K-State alum bar) and Sushi Den. And on all of these eating occasions, I had to express my need to avoid both gluten and cheese.
Talk about uncomfortable, at least for someone who is a “people pleaser” only when it comes to food. Don’t want to bother the chef with special requests? Offend the baker by forgoing office birthday cake? Let your friend order pizza alone? Prior to this detox, I found myself expressing gratitude by taking “one of everything” primarily for the social aspect. Now that I have to make a conscious effort to avoid certain ingredients, I constantly find myself apologizing for not joining in or for being a burden to accommodate. And I hate having to explain what I’m doing or why I’m doing it. I am often met with an “oh that’s interesting” response or a quizzical look. And now I know what people who consciously choose to eat a certain way (or have to because of food allergies) feel like. What’s worse? I know deep down that I have probably been one of the biggest offenders when it comes to judging others for their food choices. I prided myself on not being picky or being the “fun” one to go out to eat with who didn’t make you feel like a pig if you ordered a burger, because I would get one with you. Not that those are bad characteristics, but I expressed this to the point of possibly making others feel bad for making a healthful or more conscious food choice. Weird for a dietitian, I know. Maybe it’s because I wanted more than anything to avoid the food police stigma that so often comes with the profession?
In any case, my perspective has totally changed, and so has my energy. I have felt amazing for the past twelve days, much of which I attribute to not consuming a drop of alcohol. Of course I miss the glass of wine with dinner and late nights out with friends, but my days are so. much. better. I found this interesting perspective on giving up drinking from another young professional blogger, Daily Garnish, that I think you will enjoy. I’m not going cold turkey at this point in my life, but it was a good read and point of reflection for me.
And thanks blog readers, for helping me stick to this detox. A public declaration is one of the biggest motivators for me not to give in. I can’t let you (or myself) down! In fact, I almost cried when I thought I tasted cheese in my corn grits at dinner last Friday. But even if they did contain cheese, I can feel confident in the efforts I have made to keep going. I haven’t even touched the three boxes of Girl Scout cookies I bought on Saturday! But I may be making this Paleo version of Caramel Delights (no, not Samoas) from Elana’s Pantry sooner than later.
Check back later this week for another Recipe Roundup on sweet treats for Valentine’s Day. XOXO.
So I’m about to start an all-gluten and cheese diet in about two weeks….so perhaps I should follow your detox routine until then. . . . or perhaps I should eat that amazing doughnut instead. Yes. That’s what I’ll do.
You know what they say about French women! I think you will be just fine
So many things I can’t imagine even giving up….cheese?!?…wine?!?! I think you are really brave, Katie. I do have a question. I saw a news segment a while back (and, of course I don’t know which one) about gluten free diets and how people who aren’t gluten intolerant think gluten free options are healthier for them. They reported that gluten free options in people who have normal reactions to gluten don’t really make any difference. It’s only if you’re intolerant that gluten free options matter. When I saw that you were doing it, my first thought was that the news report was obviously mistaken
But, can you explain WHY gluten free options make you feel better?
I’m so glad you asked, Jill. For me, it’s less about eliminating “gluten” and more about eliminating the foods that contain gluten that aren’t so healthy for me (bagels, cakes/pies at work, heaping bowls of pasta, etc.). Overconsumption of these foods at the expense of less protein, produce, etc. has been contributing to my low energy. I guess you could say going “gluten free” can be an easy way to eliminate these foods while still consuming carbs in the form of brown rice, sweet potatoes, fruit, quinoa, milk/yogurt, etc. This is the way to go gluten free – but many people simply swap previous snacks for gluten free rolls, cupcakes, cookies, etc. which really isn’t the point. From my perspective, it’s not necessarily the absence of gluten (unless you’re intolerant) but the removal of not-so-nutrient-dense foods.
Well that makes good sense! Thanks, Katie!
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