For the last few days, I’ve been on research study rations.  It is intended to be a diet that would maintain my weight and caloric intake.  Unfortunately, it’s a very generic diet that includes much more fat, sugar, and carbs than I’m used to.  More salt too.  I can see the food pyramid in every meal.  What I’ve found, however, is that I really can’t eat by the food pyramid. Eating fruit with every meal is equivalent to eating any other sugary dessert for me.  Everyone is different.  I only know what I can and can’t eat.  They gave me very potent sugary drinks like grape juice and orange juice – I know it’s normal to drink juices, but they react like any other burst of sugar in my system.  There were Nilla wafers, which yes are yummy, but also loaded with sugar and preservatives. There weren’t enough vegetables, and four meals consisted of Campbell’s Chunky Soup.  I lost two pounds but am incredibly bloated.  I feel weak and queasy.  I have another half day to go.

Today, after eating this restricted diet for three days, I fasted all morning and then drank a large strawberry shake in 10 minutes.  The aim was to draw blood at regular intervals afterwards and track the glucose and insulin levels.  I passed out cold while they were drawing blood.  It wasn’t the blood draw – I’d had dozens up to that point already.  It was drinking a cold sugary shake (with protein powder) after not eating for about 18 hours.  They said my blood probably rushed to my belly too quickly to help with digestion.  I put my tummy in shock.  I’m pretty sure it had to do with not eating properly (although solidly atop the food pyramid) for three days and then shocking my system.

I’ve always resisted going to a dietitian, defying disapproving frowns from healthcare workers when they look at my weight.  I actually eat quite well.  I eat more pasta than I should.  I eat out larger servings than I should.  But when I stick to the diet that I researched (see Be the Boss – Food: the Theory on the main website), I feel good.  I don’t lose weight necessarily, but I feel good, and that’s what’s important.  It’s not a food pyramid.  It’s heavy on protein and vegetables, light on carbs and fat.  Sugar and processed foods are out, greatly reducing glutamate, aspartame, and preservatives, as well as fructose, particularly high fructose corn syrup.  I’m not a perfect eater and I don’t stick to the plan well enough.  But now I know that my eating plan is for sure good (for me, at least), and I don’t have to worry about the food pyramid.  I just slid off the pyramid and landed on my face.