When you are sick, it is really easy to set the diet aside for comfort foods like macaroni & cheese, grape jelly toast, or ice cream and cake. We say to ourselves, “I don’t have much of an appetite, so at least I am eating something”. We therefore pile on more pounds in our immobile conditions than you would when we are feeling fine.
Today I feel… well, BLECH! I spent the night with my face in the toilet, as my sensitive gag reflex and phlegm do not get along. This morning I got up, took my Emergen C immediately (Thanks Lisa… it really helped to get me going), and forced myself to make and eat a balanced breakfast. I had a slice of whole wheat French toast, sautéed apples, and a couple slices of bacon. I did not want to eat it, but I knew if I did not eat something, my body would slow down and I would end up in bed all day. I have no time for bed, so I ate.
The rest of the day however, I plan to put food aside. I just do not want it, so I am going to take advantage of this feeling and not force myself. On the other hand, I cannot let my starvation mode metabolism in on my plans. Therefore, I have the perfect ammunition… chicken soup. It is low in calories, and if I sip it all day, I will keep hunger at bay, and possibly take off a couple of pounds during this time of illness. Maybe I will make some jello too in case I want something sweet.
This is not something I could eat on a regular day when I am in full swing, but today, it just feels right to eat light.
But don’t I deserve some chocolate on a day like this? Perhaps I’ll have a square or two when I retire this evening.
Andrea Hermitt is a homeschool blogger for families.com. See her other blogs here.