Recently, I attended a gathering of family and friends of my family in recognition of my father's recent passing. I arrived a few days early to help with set-up and visit with early arriving guests. Along with clothes, laptop and the usual things we take on a trip, I also included a small variety of healthy foods since this event was held over 100 miles from my home. I did not take a lot because I knew there would be likely be numerous places to grab fresh, local and yummy fruits and vegetables that are available this time of year.
But temptation got a hold of me. Since the event was potluck, there was nearly all the usual SAD (Standard American Diet) foods one can imagine. I did not feel rude sticking mostly to my usual fare of organic, unprocessed and raw fruits and vegetables before the event. Nor did I feel guilty or wrong for having some cake, chips and a little of everything during the event. What I did feel was un-satiated. Sure, I was running around setting up tables, hauling out food and running the BBQ in the summer sun, but I felt hungry constantly.
After the event, several family members and I spend a few days working to help my mother around the house, hauling yard waste to the landfill, etc. I had much less SAD food, stuck to my usual diet of real whole food during this time and I felt satiated, had plenty of energy and was not constantly eating.
I knew that a diet of real whole food actually costs less, because one doesn't need to buy as much food for energy, nutrients, etc. But I had forgotten just how much time one can spend constantly eating just to satisfy their hunger with a SAD. Then add on the costs to one's health that a SAD creates with future doctor bills and pharmaceuticals due to conditions like cancer, chronic disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, just to name a few. If that isn't enough just think of all the time wasted due to low energy, sleep issues, heartburn, etc. from a SAD. On the other hand, think of all the benefits of real whole food that are 180 degrees of a SAD. Longer life expectancy, reduced inflammation, greater immediate and long term health, all the costs and time saved are just a pinch of the massive reasons that the next time I travel, I'll be eating what my body likes--not what everyone else is having.
But temptation got a hold of me. Since the event was potluck, there was nearly all the usual SAD (Standard American Diet) foods one can imagine. I did not feel rude sticking mostly to my usual fare of organic, unprocessed and raw fruits and vegetables before the event. Nor did I feel guilty or wrong for having some cake, chips and a little of everything during the event. What I did feel was un-satiated. Sure, I was running around setting up tables, hauling out food and running the BBQ in the summer sun, but I felt hungry constantly.
After the event, several family members and I spend a few days working to help my mother around the house, hauling yard waste to the landfill, etc. I had much less SAD food, stuck to my usual diet of real whole food during this time and I felt satiated, had plenty of energy and was not constantly eating.
I knew that a diet of real whole food actually costs less, because one doesn't need to buy as much food for energy, nutrients, etc. But I had forgotten just how much time one can spend constantly eating just to satisfy their hunger with a SAD. Then add on the costs to one's health that a SAD creates with future doctor bills and pharmaceuticals due to conditions like cancer, chronic disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, just to name a few. If that isn't enough just think of all the time wasted due to low energy, sleep issues, heartburn, etc. from a SAD. On the other hand, think of all the benefits of real whole food that are 180 degrees of a SAD. Longer life expectancy, reduced inflammation, greater immediate and long term health, all the costs and time saved are just a pinch of the massive reasons that the next time I travel, I'll be eating what my body likes--not what everyone else is having.