Say Cheese

Cheese ... Delicious or Deadly?


On my current eating protocol I have decided to avoid dairy.  For me, milk is not a problem, I don't like milk. But many recipes I love include milk or cream.  I will have to evaluate them as I go. We rarely use butter, nnd I have recently switched to "Almond Smooth" as a liquid to wet down my cereal in the morning.


But avoiding cheese may be harder. Before I started this I would often eat cheese on a daily basis.  In salads, in soups, on sandwiches, or just as an easy snack.  I know night eating is very bad, but sometimes a few ounces of cheese would find themselves in my tummy after midnight. You know, get up, visit potty, open fridge, eat what is easiest.  For me, that would have been ice cream or cheese!


Why avoid cheese?  Calories from fat. Most cheese is at least 75% fat, and that means lots of calories without much redeeming nutritional value.  If I want to stay under 1500 calories and get at least 30 grams of fiber, I cannot eat cheese.


I've been reading articles on both sides.  I may still eat or cook with a very limited amount of cheese from time to time.  But not as much as before.  Mac and Cheese, cheese sandwiches and cheese burgers are definitely out. Vegetables are to good by themselves to smoother with cheese sauces. 


Pizza on the other hand may be the exception.


 Small, thoughtful changes are often the ones that will stick.


One thing I do know is that since I have started this new way of eating, my knee is no longer swollen from arthritis.  I expected joint pain after our hike in the Pinnacles, but it didn't happen.


No cheese ... No joint pain and swelling? Or maybe it is not drinking wine.  Or both.


By the way, last night I got up hungry.  I ate four "Ones" the individually wrapped prunes from Sun Sweet.  120 calories, 3 grams fiber, 24 grams carbs.  GI 29.  GI = Glycemic index.  >50 is low.