Hep C Discussion Forum

Huey · Guru

RE: I find myself slipping into bad eating habits

wmlj1960 · Moderator

Jeanno wrote:
I don't eat out much anymore just to try to stay away from toxins, bacteria etc. Where I live a lot of the restaurants are struggling to stay open and their food does not move very fast.

I agree Jeanno. At a FF restaurant, I don't even get a chance to view the ingredients/nutrition label. Also there are unknown issues with food storage, expiration dates, handling techniques and hygiene of the employees preparing the food. Also, I'm OCD about clean dishes and preparation surfaces, so I try to cook at home when possible.

But I was away from home a few days ago around medicine time (1pm) so I went to a Danvers restaurant and ordered the salad bar. 1pm is not a good time for salad bar because of all the lunch eaters who trash everything around 10:30am - 1pm. But I got my salad with all the greasy salad bar clamp utensils and sat down at a freshly wiped greasy table near the salad bar to eat. Then after seeing one customer scratch himself under his shirt and another cough on his hand, then continue to use the clamp utensils, I threw my remaining salad in the trash and will not be back at any salad bar anytime soon. And my being co-infected just increases the need to steer clear of potential bad-bacteria sources. JMO

Huey · Guru

Well I am glad at least they stopped putting M.S.G. in everything, in the 70 's it was worse than salt today!

Tig · Admin

I guess this qualifies as one of those advanced glu-whatever it was you mentioned???? Certainly high glucose, that I'm sure of! I won't insert it, I'll just let you look if the desire hits you!

Tig

Dzdayscomin · Senior Member

hrsetrdr wrote:
Dzdayscomin wrote:
You guys/and the cat all have really good advice.......the one thing that stuck in my mind was where Isiscat said (fast food) makes you feel like crap.....that is so very true, it smells good, taste great when your eating it, but in just a very short time that feeling as though you violated yourself comes on....and stays for quite some time, that's what keeps me away from it more than anything.

Yea, it's surprising when you change your perspective on eating "junk food" "comfort foods" and such, and become more concerned about health...what used to be a pleasure gets to look more like a sin.
The other day as I was leaving the gym I smelled the charbroil aroma coming from a nearby burger place, I thought- "mmm, I love the smell of advanced glycation end products in the morning!

That there made me laugh until my side hurt.....I have a Burger King, Dennys, Dairy Queen, and McDonald's all within smelling distance of the gas station I frequent for the car and mower....and it drives me absolutely insane to smell char broil, and french fries when I'm filling up on gas.

I don't give in, but i will say I put the pump on slow and get a fry high whilst waiting, and that seems to get me thru!

Thanks for the chuckle !

Duane

hrsetrdr · Guru

Dzdayscomin wrote:
You guys/and the cat all have really good advice.......the one thing that stuck in my mind was where Isiscat said (fast food) makes you feel like crap.....that is so very true, it smells good, taste great when your eating it, but in just a very short time that feeling as though you violated yourself comes on....and stays for quite some time, that's what keeps me away from it more than anything.

Yea, it's surprising when you change your perspective on eating "junk food" "comfort foods" and such, and become more concerned about health...what used to be a pleasure gets to look more like a sin.

The other day as I was leaving the gym I smelled the charbroil aroma coming from a nearby burger place, I thought- "mmm, I love the smell of advanced glycation end products in the morning!

Jeanno · Member

Hi Skewed! I don't eat out much anymore just to try to stay away from toxins, bacteria etc. Where I live a lot of the restaurants are struggling to stay open and their food does not move very fast. There are couple of restaurants within 40 minutes that we like to treat our selves to occasionally. I have struggled with eating healthy when I am really fatigued, so I get it. I stay way away from fast foods as I have been and still do protect my liver and digestive system especially until I clear this virus and hopefully beyond.

I wrote a piece on my blog at http://extremehealthwarrior.blogspot.com/2014/10/hvc-diet-and-me-and-my-people.html with ways I have tried to make it simple and easy, yet good for my liver health. What I do understand that I can't live fast and easy with food like I used to -- no now.

Anything worth having is worth fighting for.

God Bless and Namaste smile

Jeanno

wmlj1960 · Moderator

Tig56 wrote:
I also think in many instances, it's a learned condition. If you treat yourself like that over your entire life or much of it, your body gets accustomed to the junk and doesn't respond like those that have tried to treat themselves right.

I agree, and am guilty of being a fast food junkie for many years. My constant unhealthy diet made me feel like crap all the time, not just the temporary result of a big double chocolate covered whoop-de-doo - like an alcoholic hangover does. Feeling like crap became my new feeling of normal, and until a substantial length of healthy diet was established, the hangover effects of the whoop-de-doo were never noticed. I certainly agree with treating yourself to a whoop-de-doo occasionally. Keeping it all in moderation is key.

That said, tomorrow I'm traveling to the small country town that I just moved from, and I know right where the most delicious homemade double chocolate covered whoop-de-doo's are in that town... biggrin

Isiscat2011 · Guru

Duane: I know what you mean. Many of the movies we see are pretty bad. Last month I picked "Guardians of the Galaxy" and will never live that choice down. (But, the 3-D glasses were cool!) It is more about getting together and complaining afterwards about how Hollywood can't make a decent flick anymore. This weekend we will be seeing "Gone Girl" which my mother selected because she adores Ben Affleck and his "sweet wife." I read the book and it should be enjoyable.

Tig: You are a bad influence! I'll just stick to my coffee. The coffee I make myself (Starbucks Italian Roast) and add a shot of Soy Milk. I have to smuggle it inside the theatre.

Tig · Admin

Isis,

Your brother is just an example of the group that is unaffected (seemingly) by his dietary abuses. I think many of us could fall into that category. I also think in many instances, it's a learned condition. If you treat yourself like that over your entire life or much of it, your body gets accustomed to the junk and doesn't respond like those that have tried to treat themselves right. They get away with it just to get to us, lol!! More power to them, for now. A day will come when they will wish they had been a bit wiser in their dietary decisions. In the meantime, your problem at the movie theatre is easy to see. You're going to need to wash that mega cinnamon-sugar pretzel down with a large double shot of hot chocolate with a shot of caramel machiato creamer and whipped cream. Trust me, that'll make you feel all better, lol!!!!

Tig

Dzdayscomin · Senior Member

Isiscat2011 wrote:
Dzdayscomin wrote:
it smells good, taste great when your eating it, but in just a very short time that feeling as though you violated yourself comes on....and stays for quite some time, that's what keeps me away from it more than anything.
There is a theatre where I live that has these overstuffed reclining seats and a huge screen. Once a month my family all get together to see a movie there. The one thing I cannot resist is the large cinnamon-sugar soft pretzels they sell. So, I eat one every time, and every time I feel bloated and awful afterwards. Aside from that, I may have pizza once a month, but that's it for the fast foods.
I have a brother, OTOH, who is a human garbage disposal. He also has HCV, but apparently his stomach is built from iron, because he eats fast food regularly and doesn't suffer for it. Donuts, Big-Macs, Taco-Bell Nachos Supremes, you name it. He doesn't even have the decency to get fat. That doesn't mean it is good for him, though. :)

Do they have those chocolate covered custard filled bismarks? Lol..... it's my Achilles heel when it comes to treats!

Wanna good laugh? My wife harrasses me all the time because the last movie I saw in any theater was......wait for it....

Top Gun

Don't know why but there just isn't any movie I can't wait to come out on PPV or Dish....I guess I don't need to be trapped for 2 hrs in a theater eating bogus popcorn and watered down fountain soda.

I may have to try again I heard the reclining stadium seating is pretty nice...or maybe an Imax flick.

Isiscat2011 · Guru

Dzdayscomin wrote:
it smells good, taste great when your eating it, but in just a very short time that feeling as though you violated yourself comes on....and stays for quite some time, that's what keeps me away from it more than anything.

There is a theatre where I live that has these overstuffed reclining seats and a huge screen. Once a month my family all get together to see a movie there. The one thing I cannot resist is the large cinnamon-sugar soft pretzels they sell. So, I eat one every time, and every time I feel bloated and awful afterwards. Aside from that, I may have pizza once a month, but that's it for the fast foods.

I have a brother, OTOH, who is a human garbage disposal. He also has HCV, but apparently his stomach is built from iron, because he eats fast food regularly and doesn't suffer for it. Donuts, Big-Macs, Taco-Bell Nachos Supremes, you name it. He doesn't even have the decency to get fat. That doesn't mean it is good for him, though. :)

Groupergetter · Guru

Skewed with the improved appetite it sound as though the meds are having a positive impact. That's a good thing. I don't think fast food in moderation will hurt, particularly if you need to put weight on. Hoping you continue to show signs of improvement. smile

Dzdayscomin · Senior Member

You guys/and the cat all have really good advice.......the one thing that stuck in my mind was where Isiscat said (fast food) makes you feel like crap.....that is so very true, it smells good, taste great when your eating it, but in just a very short time that feeling as though you violated yourself comes on....and stays for quite some time, that's what keeps me away from it more than anything.

Also what gator said, didn't go thru all this just to introduce other problems into the equation.

Do your best skewed food is much less dangerous than alcohol or smoking so just limit the food partys!

We will be there to......... as she says whack ya on the noggin if ya get to far outta line! Lol

Best wishes your way!

Duane

Gator Man · Senior Member

Hi Skewed:

Malnutrition in cirrhotic patients is extremely common and daily caloric intake can be a concern. Increasing the amount of protein and carbohydrates can become essential to prevent muscle wasting because of the damaged liver's inability to store and release glycogen. I have compensated cirrhosis and fortunately have not developed this problem. I am 5'9" and have maintained ~160 lbs. for the last decade, but do have a voracious appetite, in part based on the amount I exercise.

With moderate fibrosis that hopefully will not lead to cirrhosis, I wouldn't be too concerned about weight, although 130 lbs. is probably a little low depending on the size of your skeletal frame. Isiscat has some great dietary suggestions, but I would not be afraid to add a few calories from fat. For example, I eat 2% yogurt which has more calories but less sugar than non fat. Almonds, avocados or even leaner red meat than from McDonalds are other options (Isiscat may not agree with the red meat part) that add calories, without an unhealthy amount of saturated fat.

SVR and beating Hepatitis C have been essential in terms of my well being and hopefully adding years, possibly decades to my life. For me, a quality diet, exercise and moderation with the occasional indulgence (fast food, sweets, no alcohol or tobacco) are part of the equation. I didn't go through tx just to succumb to heart disease, diabetes, et al., from bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle.

P.S. I am now stepping off the dietary and exercise soapbox that I seem to preach from on a regular basis. Tig is correct, life is boring without some occasional dietary decadence! wink

-- Edited by Gator Man on Thursday 2nd of October 2014 08:43:14 PM

Tig · Admin

I lost almost 60 pounds on treatment and was eating more than I had normally been before tx. I'm sure it had a big impact on my metabolism because several months post EOT, I'm noticing that my steady weight loss has stopped and I've returned to feeling more like I did before. I was able to eat whatever I wanted on Tx and still lost weight. Now not so much! I'm having to keep my eye on my intake once again, which isn't such a bad thing anyway! Everything in moderation should be our motto. Do your best to eat healthy items but don't deny yourself the occasional treat! Life would be very boring without some dietary decadence!

Tig

Isiscat2011 · Guru

BTW, you can throw a dash of bbq sauce, or whatever you like, on that grilled chicken. No need to eat like a Monk; just use moderation and eat fresh foods.

Isiscat2011 · Guru

Hi Skewed:

You definitely are not overweight, but that junk food is not doing you any favors, which you already know. If you must eat it try limiting yourself to a smaller amount and only 1 x per week, then taper back to 2 x per month, etc. In the meantime you can prepare meals ahead for a few days, like a nice soup or casserole, and many foods can be frozen. That way you don't have to spend time cooking every day. The key is preparing your own meals -- so you can determine what goes in them--and eating as much fresh food as you can.

For daily meals, you can grill up a skinless chicken breast, throw some brown rice in a rice-cooker, and steam some fresh veggies in about 20 minutes. An electric grill is a beautiful thing. You can whip up fresh fish, chicken, or a healthy panini sandwich in no time at all. Keep some healthier snack foods around like fresh fruit, a little yogurt (watch out for the sugar in yogurt), celery sticks with peanut butter, a handful of almonds, etc. There are also some breakfast cereals that contain little or no sugar or sodium.

It is really just about getting into better habits. Once you start eating healthier you won't want the fast-food very often. You will notice it makes you feel like crap. Another important thing is to learn about what your food contains. Read labels. You can also google any fast-food for a nutrition count. It sounds kind of OCD, but it will become second nature to you, and your health will thank you for it. Good luck!

skewedButNotBroken · Senior Member

I'm 5'9" and I weigh 130 pounds. I used to weigh about 160 when I was in my early 20's.

Dzdayscomin · Senior Member

How much weight did you lose ? Being able to eat is huge and in most cases over nutrition is better than mal nourished, and you still are in the celebratory phase so go easy on yourself.

It's not gonna kill ya but it has a lot of salt in it.

skewedButNotBroken · Senior Member

Before I started therapy, if I ate a big meal of any type, 12 hours later it would still be sitting in my stomach or at least it felt like that, but now if I eat a large meal 4 or 5 hours later I'm hungry again. This is a major change for me. My ALT has dropped to 25 and my viral load is < 15. Consequently, I find myself pulling up to the drive-through window of places like McDonald's and Burger King 2 or 3 times a week. At first, I told myself this is a reward for finally getting treated, but now there is no excuse because I know better, but yet I seem to do it anyway.

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