Is Someone Holding a Gun to Your Head?

Copyright (c) 2008 At Peace With Food

Several years ago I had the opportunity to work in an assisted living community. My job involved talking to people who had nutrition problems (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure) and to give short lectures to the residents.

The talks were always fun, because the topics were interesting (to me anyway). They included how taste changed with age, how to be active while sitting in your chair, ways to add fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. After a short lecture, we would have a Q & A. I always enjoyed this, because I never knew what was going to come at me.

One question that seemed to arise on a regular basis was "why do they always serve dessert?" Usually followed by the comment "I have gained ten pounds since I moved here!I began to feel like I was talking to college freshmen about weight gain their first year (but I understand that, with inflation, the "freshmen ten" is now 15 pounds)."

I could understand their frustration, because, after having worked in several facilities, I felt like I was on a cruise ship. Along with three meals a day, there was always some type of snack around-cookies, fruit, cake. And, along with salad, vegetables and a main course, the meals always had dessert.

You probably feel this way as well, especially when you eat at a restaurant, or at a friend's house. You want to eat what is in front of you, and you feel as though there is no choice. Then, when you discover you have gained weight, you wonder why.

Let me tell you what I used to tell the folks at the assisted living facility-and it is this:Did someone put a gun to your head and tell you that you had to eat dessert?

I realize this is a bit harsh, to you, and to the folks I was lecturing. In fact-no one is forcing you to eat dessert. The truth is, no one is making you eat anything. My concern for the elderly is that they eat adequate amounts of food to stay healthy, and if they eat dessert, it's their choice. Well, my friends, when you are at a restaurant, or at your friends' house, the same hold true-it's your choice. Maybe you are feeling guilty because you don't want to disappoint your host by not eating dessert-but no one is forcing you to swallow the food by holding a gun to your head.

My suggestion, to you, and to my former residents, is to watch what you eat-that's all. When you know you won't be able to resist dessert, figure out a strategy to, healthfully, eat a bit less during the day. Or try to be more active. Activity helps to increase your metabolism and to burn calories. Whatever you consider, though, do NOT skip meals the next day-that sets up a dangerous cycle of starving and overeating.

The folks at the assisted living needed a bit more advice, because dessert was offered at every meal. We did need to discuss more strategies for watching their intake during the day, especially if they weren't active. The bottom line still holds-no one is forcing you to eat, you are responsible for what you put into your mouth. Unless, of course, someone is holding a gun to your head.

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