Diet & Wisdom Appetizers

I have a friend; we’ll call her Lucinda to protect her identity, who’s recently been undergoing testing for stomach pain. The doctors ruled out ulcer and are now doing further testing for gallbladder problems. She’s doing fairly well and eating healthy and managing her pain with diet and medication.

A few days ago, someone at her work brought something in to share that was over-the-top in deliciousness, presentation, calories and temptation. Poor Lucinda wanted to taste the tempting treat so badly, even telling herself the intense pain she knew she would suffer would be worth it just to taste this treat. Luckily her moment of insanity passed and she declined to indulge, saving herself hours of severe pain and most likely an unscheduled trip to urgent care.

Many of us like to push the envelope and see how far we can go before we get ourselves in trouble so deep there’s no return. I feel for Lucinda as the older I get my stomach seems to have a mind and will of its own and I can’t eat the same things I could 10 or 20 years ago. I no longer have a tolerance for spicy foods, fried foods or milk-based products – even chocolate sometimes upsets my stomach. I’m learning which foods to say “no” to in order to avoid those Pepto chasers and a life filled with physical pain.

In my mind there is NO food out there worth stomach cramps and severe pain. Because Lucinda is half my age, she’s still learning to gauge her tolerance level for pain so she’s willing to throw caution to the wind occasionally in exchange for a few moments of caloric ecstasy. With age DOES come a certain amount of wisdom, but I still stumble.

I’m not immune to stupid eating decisions, as proven by many of my recent blog posts. As recently as three days ago I gave into my flesh and ate ice cream which I know upsets my stomach but my reaction is usually “mild.” I rationalized that a few spoonfuls wouldn’t hurt much, so I took a chance. That reasoning proved false and I immediately suffered some uncomfortable consequences. I think I finally learned my lesson and accept that ice cream is now in the category of things I should never eat again.

As I compile my list of “danger foods” I know I’ve made definite progress as there are certain foods I absolutely can turn down without a second thought because of the “after burn” pain involved. Fried foods head that list and even though I may indulge in inhaling the aroma of such foods, I know that I know that I know I absolutely cannot eat fried stuff without severe pain, so I simply don’t any longer.

Like Lucinda, I still want to push the envelope from time to time. The good news is as my list of things to stay away from grows longer, the things I’m willing to eat once in a while in spite of the pain is growing shorter. Any way you spin it that spells progress to me. And forward progress of any kind is a win-win situation.

The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor. ~Chinese Proverb

Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. Romans 14:6 (NLT)

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord, I ask forgiveness for my stubborn will that makes me want to do things I know aren’t good for me. Help me to practice restraint and not feel cheated because there are certain foods I know I should stay away from. Continue to guide and direct me. I ask all these things in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.