A recent census shows that Americans are eating better and worse, but certainly more than they did in 1980. Reading this prompted me to think about the changes in my diet over the years, and whether it has improved at all.
I’m proud to say my diet has improved a lot over time. The two main improvements I can think of are these:
-
I eat a lot less processed food. This is mainly because I have the time to prepare most of my meals myself these days. When I worked in New York, for example, I often ate frozen pre-packaged meals for lunch, or went out.
-
I eat fewer dairy products. This is a pretty recent development, basically since I tried veganism in January. I love cheese, but going vegan for three weeks showed me that I can eat a very satisfying and enjoyable diet without cheese. Now I eat cheese probably a couple times a week, rather than every day. Plus I have been eating it in smaller quantities. It’s nice to know that I’ve removed so much unhealthy fat from my diet without feeling deprived.
But just because I’ve improved doesn’t mean there’s not still room to make my diet even better. I’d like to try to eat more of a variety of species, and also to consume fewer calories per day (to finally shake these extra pounds I’m carrying around).
How is your diet looking these days? Better or worse than a couple years ago? What improvements could you make?
Unfortunately, it seems that since I went vegetarian, I am compensating with a lot of added fats (margarine) and salt… and even though I want to try veganism, I can’t stop eating cheese… which, I know, don’t preach, is not vegetarian, but I feel like I’m entitled to something for not eating meat… so really, I may be eating just as many fats.. not sure… I better get committed here… I eat alot of french fries and potato chips too, lol… I need a reality check
My diet has changed pretty radically in the past couple years. I am now about 90% Raw Vegan. My digestive health problems were solved by quiting dairy about 8 years ago and in 1987 I quit meat so what was left? I had to discover loads of new Raw recipes – gourmet cuisine! It is the most Fantastic tasting food I have ever had. Check out Renee Loux’s recipe books.
I think I just undid years worth of ‘better’ with one week of New Orleans’ restaurants….
Yikes. Not better… i need help!
) This is a fab thought-provoking post… thank you. Guess i need to kinda get my stuff together!!
Definatly better. Way less fast food and packaged food and “white” food. Less meat. More veggies and fruits and grains.
My diet has dramatically improved compared to 10 years ago! When I was still living with my parents I had no other choice but follow and not question their diet. Their diet revolved around a piece of meat a day and some starch for lunch, something slighly greener in the evening but we were very far from the 5 pieces of veg n fruit a day. When I left for Uni I hardly ever ate meat. I prefered to save the money to go out so I was eating more pasta, but still not enough veggies. Now I have totally given up on meat and I eat my 5 portions of fruit n veg every single day. I have given up milk and yoghurts and swapped for soya. I still eat cheese from time to time though, so I am not yet vegan. The processed food has gone too. I feel much much better, hardly ever have stomach complaints or headaches. My weight has been very stable over the last 4 years. It is amazing the changes that someone can make in their life if they are willing to be educated, challenge and un-learn what they grew up with.
I don’t eat much differently now than I did 10 years ago, but better than 20 years ago (more vegetables!). I eat more organic food than I used to. This may be offset by the inadvertent consumption of GMSs.
I’ve never been in to processed food, and I’m still not.