Diet-betes

Think of all of the things you enjoy to eat. Go on, make a list!

My list would look something like this:

• Chocolove, Hazelnuts in Milk Chocolate bar
• Red wine
• Beef tenderloin, medium rare - medium
• Rum (with Coke)
• (Alli)Gator nuggets
• Chick-Fil-A: Arnold Palmer, Cookies and cream milkshake, chicken strips (with Chick-Fil-A sauce)
• Sushi

Now that you have your list of things which cause you to bounce up and down in your seat, uncontrollably, proceed to partake in a week long diet without not one of those things (assuming you were honest when compiling your list ).

I am currently in the home stretch of such a torturous ordeal. A recent wake-up call from my doctor reminded me that my diet is not one of someone who remains in good health over time. In fact, my diet (along with my genetic background), will surely result in me developing Diabetes! Me? Diabetes? Dammit!

Naturally, I don't want Diabetes, so in an effort to prevent its manifestation, I am engaging in a trial diet. This diet will not only bring me great frustration, anger and suicidal thoughts, but will also determine if dietary change alone can ensure I remain in good health (i.e. not diabetic) over time.

Here is a list of things that I eliminated from my diet this week. I ask that you please keep in mind the list you created above. If you ignored my request to create a list, I hope you spill coffee on your keyboard.

The Diet-betes NO list:

• Rice
• White potatoes
• Carrots
• Beets
• Corn
• Bread (yes...bread...ALL of it. not just white bread. no. bread. period!)
• Pasta
• Fats (Oils, butter, margarine, nuts, etc)
• Dairy
• Red meat
• Alcohol
• Sugar

If you're thinking "what exactly CAN you eat!?" I assure you, you are not alone.

The Diet-betes YES list:

• Greens, spinach
• Broccoli
• Brussell sprouts
• Green beans
• Peas
• Snow peas (yeah, you said peas, stop trying to act like you are giving me more options than you really are!)
• Asparagus
• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Onion
• Bean sprouts
• Squash
• Okra (steamed)
• Cabbage
• One serving of white meat daily
• One serving of fruit daily

I don't know about you, but just the thought of eating about half of the items on the YES list makes me want to embrace Diabetes with open arms.

If you are reading this blog, thinking "big deal, it's just a diet, get over it." I have two responses, depending on your dietary habits. If you are a) vegetarian or worse (i.e. more strict), I commend you. But if you are b) someone whose idea of dieting is not eating fast food, I hope you spill coffee on your keyboard.

Sunday is the last day I will be following this strict diet. While I am certain I will need to change my dietary habits in general, I could not be happier that this week of sheer hell is coming to an end. I honestly have never felt so hungry for so long in my entire life.