Isn’t it funny how things can change over the course of a few years?
It’s interesting to look back, to see what our priorities are/were in the past and how it has changed due to circumstances over time. A lot has changed in my eating over the past few years. Some might say it’s for the worst – but I beg to differ. I am so much happier with the way I have been eating for the past two years than I ever have been. I’ve received comments about what I eat/don’t eat as well as curious readers who commented on my survey. You asked, and I’ll tell!
Let’s rewind a bit for those people who are new here, shall we?
When I started this blog, I had recently found out that I was gluten intolerant after years and years of migraines, digestive issues, and overall exhaustion. On top of that, corn and dairy were culprits of my digestive woes as well. This post goes into more detail about that whole process and has some links to some great gluten free resources on the web. I’m a big believer in avoiding foods that make us feel subpar – why would we eat something that makes us feel unwell? I know people get a lot of flak for “avoiding” different foods… but really, as long as it’s being done in a healthy manner for the right reasons – I don’t see a problem with it. Soy gives you headaches every time you eat/drink it? Coffee makes your stomach churn? I say do what’s right for you and your body… no questions asked. So, I avoided those types of foods. I know there are some people out there who don’t “believe” that a gluten intolerance is real. I’m here to tell you that it is very very real, and it just isn’t worth it to me to eat foods that makes me feel horrible. When I started this blog, I also was a vegetarian. I grew up with a mother who didn’t eat meat (still doesn’t!), and after some research I had done, it just seemed to mesh well with what I wanted at the time.
Over time, I tested the waters out a little. When I cut out each food I wasn’t eating, that certainly didn’t mean I didn’t WANT to eat it (minus the meat). Eventually, I started to try out some foods here and there. Greek yogurt didn’t seem to bother me – so I added it back in. Corn tortillas didn’t seem to bother me – so I added them back in. With all of the research I have done on gluten, studies have shown that with time, your digestive system may heal once the gluten is eliminated from your diet (source). Another article I found has personal accounts of that being just the case. I find this super interesting!
Fast forward to pregnancy last year.
There I was, a vegetarian who avoided most dairy… and guys, all I wanted was meat and cheese. I am all about listening to my body and what it wants, but it was a really hard decision for me to start eating meat again. Part of me felt like a failure and another part of me felt like others would judge my decision to not be a vegetarian again. In fact, I avoided blogging about food like the plague for a while because I didn’t want others to judge me. Turns out you guys care far less about that than I ever thought you would – and thanks for that! I first blogged about some of my eating changes when I was 16 weeks pregnant with the girls, and I just kind of “slipped” things in here and there about the changes. I was worried about nothing, and I learned I care way too much about what others think about me. Throughout my pregnancy, everyone asked me if I thought I would continue to eat meat after the girls were born. My answer was always that I didn’t know – and I didn’t. I wasn’t sure about how I would feel once they were born.
It turns out that I still didn’t mind eating some meats after the girls were born. I’m still not partial to eating some meat, but as long as it’s “mixed in” to a meal and part of a dish, I’ll still eat it. I have never been one to think a whole chicken breast sounds appetizing, and I still don’t. Part of me has always dealt with some texture issues with meat, so I’m all for anything ground or pulled. I remember when I was younger I would always choose my mom’s vegetarian meals over the ones packed with meat, and I would typically only take a few bites here and there of the meat that was being served. I would pack in most of my calories on the side dishes.
We still eat vegetarian dishes a few times a week, and I’ll choose to eat vegetarian foods most of the time. However, with our life right now, it’s so much easier to just make one meal. John loves meat dishes, and I’m a big fan of “one pot” or casserole type dishes, so a lot of times they contain meat. We eat organic and grass fed when we can, but sometimes it’s just not possible if we are out to eat or at a friend’s house. I don’t stress about it. It’s funny to see the girls’ eating preferences as well – Brooklyn hardly ever touches the meat on her plates, and Emerson eats just about everything.
I haven’t been avoiding dairy, and while sometimes I’ll get a stomachache or feel bloated if I eat too much, I just try not to overdo it. I am still absolutely 100% following a gluten free diet. I’ve let myself have some here or there (think: homemade donuts served with a coffee mousse at Dancing Marlin), and it’s just not worth it to feel so horrible.
So while things may have changed over the course of the years, I’m extremely happy at where I’m at right now. I just try to focus on eating a balanced diet, and it all works itself out in the end! I hope that answered any questions anyone had, and if you have any more – throw them my way!
Question: How has your eating changed throughout the years?
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