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Dear
Kathleen,
I need some help. I love to cook. I love cookbooks. But,
when I read through them and the wealth of resources available
for healthy meals I'm very discouraged. I've concluded that
I must be a "picky" eater. I knew I was as a child.
The only things I would eat were: Oscar Mayer Hard Salami,
Cocoa Krispies, frozen hot dogs and pizza without the crust.
As an adult I've out grown many of these limitations, but
when I read recipes, sadly, even some of yours, I find myself
not liking many the ingredients.
For example, I'm not a big fish fan. I'm afraid to
cook it, afraid that I won't like it and afraid I'll
have wasted my time and my money. I don't like beans. I
don't like to mix sweet and savory. Some fruits and vegetables
I like raw but not cooked and vice versa. What's wrong with
me?
How can I "learn" to like these things that I
know are good for me? If that's just not possible, how can
I work around these self-imposed restrictions? It's frustrating
to want to do the right thing and make good choices when
my choices seem so limited. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Amy
Dear Amy,
I've forwarded your letter to Dr. Dale Atkins because
I believe she might be able to provide some insight that
will help you achieve the goals you've set for yourself.
You can achieve anything you set your mind to, Amy! Good
luck.
Best wishes for delicious eating and great health!
Kathleen
Dear Amy,
These
self-imposed restrictions are quite possibly a nifty way
for you to maintain control over your world of eating. It
seems as a child you were allowed or perhaps even encouraged
to keep your forays into the land of food incredibly limited
and hence, did not reap the benefits of trying that which
was new, unfamiliar, exotic or different. With that sense
of adventure, one usually becomes open to trying new tastes,
textures, sensations. Without it, one can get stuck in the
same old same old rut.
Given
where you are now, it would be helpful for you to begin
to think about food and the world of food preparation differently.
Try to understand why certain foods are good for you, what
their benefit is, and where they come from. As an adult,
you can do what you were unable to do as a child, try new
things!
It seems you are reluctant to jump in, totally. Fine, but
why not commit yourself to getting your feet wet and then
little by little getting a bit more comfortable in the water,
so to speak. Step by step, introduce something new and different
and healthy into your diet. For instance, rather than do
a total makeover in your food cupboards, begin to add one
or two "new foods" into your home. Find different
ways to prepare those foods.
You mentioned beans. There are many ways to prepare beans
and perhaps before you try some interesting recipes from
Mexico and Central America or the Caribbean where beans
are plentiful, add a few varieties of beans to a salad or
a casserole. Or try a new soup recipe with a wholesome bread.
Once you "teach" yourself to think of the food
you are preparing from the perspective of what is good for
you, that which will enhance your health and prolong your
life and the quality of that life, your attitude will likely
change.
If you
think of it as a chore, likely, your sense of adventure
will not be titillated. As you get more comfortable with
new foods, you might enjoy finding out the cultural history
of certain types of foods. Select a part of the world that
fascinates you and try to find out a bit about that culture
and the foods the people who live there eat.
Why
not get a few friends to join you and decide to cook a healthy
meal that represents a specific part of the world and make
it a party. That way, your adventure into the world of healthy
cooking can be something fun to share. And remember, change
takes time. As with all aspects of life, when you are open
to change, you will reap those benefits.
Dale
dratkins@kathleendaelemans.com
Dr. Dale Atkins' latest book, I'm
OK, You're My Parents: How to Overcome Guilt, Let Go of
Anger, and Create a Relationship That Works,
draws on twenty-five years of experience as a relationship
expert to present a comprehensive guide to repairing difficult
relationships, gaining control, and building a life that
you and your parents can live with for years to come.
Click
here for more info on I'm OK, You're My Parents
(Requires the free Acrobat
Reader; click the button below to download the Reader)
Other
books by Dr. Dale Atkins:
Sisters
From
the Heart: Men and Women Write Their Private Thoughts About
Their Married Lives
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