How do we reward ourselves for success on the gluten free diet. How do we break the routine. A person on a weight loss diet can suspend their diet on Christmas Day. A diabetic can eat sugary foods occasionally. But we live gluten free 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Any deviation from our diet leaves us in pain. I wrote about this problem earlier this month and received a reply that I will publish in full. The first two sentences (which I have published in red) answers the question beautifully and the rest of the letter gives us information that helps make the ideas "work". At the end of the article, I’ll give my response to the "issue".
‘I think the real reward comes from re-defining what kind of food is rewarding. If "reward" food is always, in a celiac’s mind, some "treat" made with gluten, then "rewards" are always forbidden fruit and the celiac is always dis-satisfied and the object of either her own pity or other people’s pity. I have come to define rewarding food as food that tastes delicious and is good for me–this might include typical "treats" such as sorbet or ice cream, but even more so includes a succulent bean dish, roasted lamb, the freshest green salad with a flavorful dressing, any of numerous fantastic soups, or nourishing, homemade baked goods that are gluten-free and taste even fresher and more delicious than any store-bought item that just happens to contain gluten. In sum, I think there are literally hundreds and hundreds of reward foods–enjoying those that don’t contain gluten is just a matter of re-defining the concept of pleasure food and re-orienting one’s palate in broader directions."
I agree completely. We need to focus on the foods that we can eat and that — after all — includes most foods. Our reward foods need to be naturally gluten free so that we are not tempted to compare them to the wheat-based version of the food that we enjoyed as children. Our reward foods must be well prepared and well presented. Our reward foods taste better when they are shared with friends. We also need to reward ourselves in ways that do not involve food. That’s a difficult challenge for me.
Keep those e-mails and comments coming. I think we need to share more ideas on this topic.
Published 1/23/09
