Thankful For What We CAN Eat

Do you have food allergies, intolerances, or other food limitations? Does it make you feel left out of social events or are you thankful for what you CAN eat?

Social activities often revolve around food. Honestly, at times, I’ve struggled with feeling sad or that I’m missing out on something at social gatherings. So as Thanksgiving comes up, I’ve been thinking about the difference that mindset and perspective makes in my own life with food limitations. Someone always has it worse. It can be helpful to hear their perspective and also focus our mindset on what we can have or can do, rather than what we can’t.

Focusing on People, Not Food

There is a woman in my congregation who is living (quite vibrantly) with an inoperable brain tumor. If you didn’t  pay attention, you’d never know that she does anything differently than the rest of us. But if you watch closely during snacks after church or at potlucks, you’ll notice that she brings her own foods and only eats what she brings. No complaints. No fuss. And she sits there in the midst of everyone eating, choosing to participate in the conversation even if not all the food.

I like living more than I like food

She’s happy to tell you about how she changed her diet and lifestyle after receiving such a devastating diagnosis.  Rather than tell you about the particulars of what works for her (general idea= mostly plant based and no sugar), I’d like to focus on her mindset: “I like living more than I like food.”  That’s what she’ll tell you. She is living free of the symptoms that led to her brain tumor diagnosis thanks in large part to the daily choices she makes: choices of what to put (or not put) in her mouth. She never makes a big deal of what she eats. And that lets everyone else just focus on enjoying her company. I love that.

Eat to Live, not Live to Eat

Eating is a part of life, but it is not life itself. Sometimes we can focus too much on food and eating, and not enough on our blessings, friends and family around us. Did a dietitian nutritionist really just say: Don’t focus so much on food?! Yes! Everything – even food – should be kept in balance with life. So yes, what we eat makes a difference in our health but it shouldn’t be the only thing we think about in life. Eat what lets you feel good, and then enjoy the rest of life!

Make a Thankful List

How do we do this? I like lists. They help me organize my thoughts. What-I’m-Thankful-For-Lists are also a good idea when we get stuck in negativity. Ever heard “count your blessings”? I think it’s easier to write them down than just count them out loud. Writing things down solidifies our thoughts and lets us reread what we are thankful for.

My Thankful List

Here’s my personal list off the top of my head of what I am thankful for about my health and food:

• My energy has improved now that I don’t have to nap each day
• I feel well enough now that I can play volleyball again
• I know how to make my own gluten and egg free desserts
• My grocery budget allows me to buy some specialty foods
• Coffee/hot tea is a can-do
• Yummy fruit and veggies are always on my can-eat list
• Meat, poultry, beans, nuts, and GF grains are all fine
• Corn is not a problem (seriously, talk to someone with a corn problem)
• Anaphylaxis is not one of my food reactions
• My family supports my allergies/food needs

My list could be much longer, but I want to post this before Thanksgiving! This year, I chose to be thankful for what I CAN eat and CAN do!

What are you thankful for this time of year?

To your health,

Kamie

Kamie Stoner MS, RDN, LD, CLT
(Master’s Degree in Nutrition, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian, Certified LEAP Therapist for food sensitivities)

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The information provided is for information purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.  It is not a substitute for your own doctor’s or dietitian’s advice.