Simple Sustenance
Favorite sandwich? One that I can eat.
Since my heart attack I made some dramatic changes to my diet. Gone are sandwiches from McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, Chik-fil-A, Dairy Queen, and countless other fast food places. When I started to look at the fat content it’s no wonder I had clogged pipes.
But it’s not just fast food. Two taverns a short walk from the house have some outstanding offerings — a prime rib sandwich that I’ll allow myself occasionally, and a fine cheeseburger. The rare indulgence. If there’s meat in my diet it’s generally lean chicken or turkey — grilled.
The pictured sandwich comes from the dining hall across the street from my office. Whole wheat bread, grilled chicken, perhaps a half-teaspoon of mayonnaise, and a pile of vegetables. No sauce, no dressing, and no cheese. Low fat.
My favorite sandwich is the one that won’t kill me.
Sigh…gotcha. (And I’ve always hated mayo.) Now I’m feelibg a tad hungry, and it’s 5:30 AM…going straight back to bed now.
I’m not a big mayo fan either but just a smidge adds lubricant to an otherwise dry concoction and a little flavor as well. So I’ve adapted.
In Missoula, MT this past summer bicycling I stopped at a Vietnamese restaurant and had the best Mongolian Barbeque Sandwich I’ve ever had…Come to think of it it’s been the only Mongolian BBQ I’ve ever had. I’ll be looking for more this coming traveling season though.
I remember when I used to bicycle, or backpack, and stopping to eat, everything tasted incredible when I was that physically engaged. A can of Dinty Moore stew was like ambrosia. Perhaps some of that was playing into the BBQ? You’ll need to visit again more rested to test the theory!
I still love a good PB&J. Lately we’ve even had Crunchy Jif here and it’s the best.
I can’t eat much PB anymore but occasionally I’ll indulge a little — I love it. Grew up with JIF.
As I sit here reading this, I am eating low fiber cereal with almond milk. Your new diet would kill me and my low fiber diet is not all that good for my arteries. As an old friend who died just short of her 100th birthday said to me, “growing old isn’t for wimps.”
As I type this comment I have a bowl of cereal with me. Shredded wheat mixed with raisin bran, skim milk and topped with frozen blueberries. An English muffin with a hint of margarine and a glass of water. I’ve made piece with eating. Bread, crackers and pretzels are the only things I need to watch now — mostly because I can gorge myself on them. Best for now to just not buy them.
Lol, I like your philosophy, eat what won’t kill you! I am still in the formative stage of my sandwich post, and now I’m hungry so I’m thinking my choice may not be so healthy…
I’m finding that hunger is an interesting feeling. Used to be I would immediately sate it. Now I explore it a bit first. It’s instructive in its own uncomfortable way.
Just an offhand thought…
Get a food-grade plastic container, fill it will all those veggies and then some, maybe include alternates to the lettuce, although you working with others you might be advised to not have the onions.
I make myself a big salad most lunches of greens other than lettuce, and some light oil, and maybe some nuts and orange slices and similar. Oh and best eat lunch away from your work or even some other place in your building. Just to take a break.
Lightly snowing outside this Friday afternoon February 10, hopefully the ride home on the Vespa is not slippery…
I’ve resisted the food in a container approach so far mainly because I want to get out in the world during the workday. There is a dining hall across the street from my office where I often eat. Can build those sandwiches or salads there. But in retirement, if I’m riding more, the containerized meals will probably step up in importance. Your salad description would be a fine meal.
So far no slips or slides on the Vespa. Raining and dreary here this morning. Temperature hovering just below 40F. Not sure if I’ll go for a ride or not…
I confess I’ve never been much of a sandwich type guy. I eat mostly salads, veggie soups, a few whole grain crackers, some mixed nuts and fruit. I DO love cheese and I suspect it simply found a home where I got the stents. 🙂 Stay warm and ride safe.
I think a lot of fatty stuff found a home where I got my first stent. Doctor told me if I want to avoid a second I need to take care of myself. Some days I still think, “Where’s the fun in that?”