With celebrating July 4th, Independence Day, yesterday I was wondering how holidays have changed since people were diagnosed. Before I was given the title as a IC patient I loved all holidays. Way too many calories, sugar by the bucket load and the perfect excuse to sit on my butt and do nothing except relax.
This time around things are different.
My husband was working so it was just the kids and I, which we are used too so it was not really that different. The only thing that made a big difference was how I prepared our food and what I had compared to the rest of the family.
I made hamburgers with vegetables instead of a bun to help my husband's low carbs diet and since we are trying to eat healthier together as a family. I did not buy pre-made patties, I had to shape them myself which was a huge challenge for me but turned out great in the end.
The kids and my husband were able to have ketchup, garlic salt and basil on their patties, where as I just had sea salt, however this holiday I did not feel like I was eating a completely different meal to them.
Honestly since I was diagnosed I felt like every meal was spent with me eating something completely different to my family and leaving me out in the cold, sort of speak. The last week or so has improved immensely as I have started to grip more on what seasonings I can have and how I can eat the same food just prepared in a different way.
Here are a few things that I have noticed/done differently:
- Use two bowls/two pans to make the same food but with different seasonings. Definitely not hassle free but a huge improvement to eating something completely different and feeling left out.
- Knowing a little ahead of time what you want to eat and going with it. If you are preparing/making the food for the entire family then you pick the menu and include foods you can adjust to your needs and theirs as well.
- Food planning is also still a huge help as it enables you to by pass all the foods that would cause a flare up. This would include foods that are high in sugar, such as take out and desserts.
- Finding some kind of indulgence that gives you the feeling of 'cheating' but with a lot less side effect. I personally have found that a little vanilla ice cream or vanilla shake gives me the feeling of having a some what normal eating style, complete with dessert, but without the pain for days later.
Above everything this holiday has taught me that it is possible to have a great family meal, including dessert without feeling like your causing hassle or adding stress to it. Just because we have a condition does not mean it has to be a burden. And remember:
#AlwaysKeepFighting
