just wanted to vent

[astrid]

I have read many posts here about nutrition and what we should and should not eat on this forum. I want to say that the most important thing we do is to try to find a balance between quality of life and our diets. If we want to eat that big piece of chocolate cake with chocolate icing covered in ice cream we should go for it. Keep in mind that Linda McCartney was a vegetarian for all of her adult life and still passed away from breast cancer. She was active and trim and had enough money to buy a cure yet she still died. We should be cautious about omega 6 fats, sugars, white flours and processed foods. A plant based diet full of fruits, vegetables nuts, beans and seeds is best but if we want that occasional steak we shouldn’t feel guilty. I struggle every day because my husband and family eat without concern and I take a hand full of supplements and can’t eat what they eat. I feel guilty when I have a beer and really guilt when I have dessert. I do not live in an area where we have an earth fare or a whole foods store that specializes in organic foods. I grow my own blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers and herbs. But the remaining veggies I buy are non organic. I eat regular chicken and frame raised fish. I exercise 45 minutes each day sometime more. Sorry, I just wanted to vent.

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Coming from a person that really enjoys food, I have to agree with you. What really is quality of life if you can't enjoy some of your favorite things on occasion.

I believe that everything in moderation can't be that bad for you and to deprive yourself from everything just makes you unhappy and is counter productive.

And again, I do not say this with any medical expertise. If you have a condition and can't have something, then that is a different story but otherwise I do agree that "treating" yourself once in a while will not hurt. I do the health thing myself taking the Omega 3's, vitamins, etc but do not always buy organic either.I do on some items but can't do all.

Hope you get to enjoy a piece of that chocolate cake once in awhile Astrid.

Good luck to you my dear

[Mgarr]

I could not agree more if you are depriving yourself of some small pleasure you are not living. Healing is not only a physical issue you have to be happy on all levels, spiritual, physical & emotionally. Like Irene I live by "everything in moderation"


Mary

[Barbara H.]

I agree. I do my best to eat healthy and buy organic when I can. During the summer I go to the local farmers' markets in NH and otherwise I'm lucky in Newton to live near Whole Foods and Trader Joes. That being said, I will drink an occasional glass a wine, enjoy restaurant dining, and will eat any food my friends serve me. I eat desserts occasionally, including ice cream. I really believe in using organic milk and its products, as well as wild fish, and meat and chicken without hormones and antibiotics. However, there are occasions when it's not possible, and then I just accept it.

I've learned a lot from this site about omega threes and what supplements to use. Although I don't take them all, the information has been very helpful.

Best,
Barbara H.

[madubois63]

You mean your not perfect???? OMG! Vent any time you want. You deserve it. Stop feeling guilty. You are the only one doing that to yourself. Now this in only MY opinion and since you are venting...I read all the articles that say being over weight causes cancer, will make you have a relapse...yada yada yada. I have also read all the articles that say eat this, don't eat that...yada yada yada...I am NOT skinny and VERY happy to be "voluptuous" at this time in my life. I have watched many people at my center die from less serious stages/diagnosis then me over the last few years. Who knows why?? Did they deprive themselves of that chocolate cake?? I don't know, but I do know I do eat that chocolate cake (with marshmallow frosting) when I want it, and I am very happy for it!!! I gained weight with all the anti-hormonal drugs and steroids, but I also lost a lot of weight from the leukemia. I will be going back in the hospital and know that I will loose more weight and I won't be sick like others I've seen because of my "supersized" thighs...I do take supplements, eat as organic as possible and take good care of myself, but sometimes chocolate cake is the only medicine that works...enjoy!


..·´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ¸.·´ -:¦:- -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.Maryann -:¦:-´´

[StephN]

Anyone ever heard of "comfort food"???

This will mean many things to many people, but if you crave it, you may as well eat it once in a while, unless there is an allergy or other serious problem with it.

[Tom]

Dear Astrid,

Give yourself a break. If you are all wound up around the clock about what you are forcing yourself to eat, you aren't doing yourself any good. Steph was right about comfort food. It does just that. It soothes the savage beast of hunger and urge for reckless abandon in all of us. We get to be "bad" once in a while and eat something totally delicious.

I have fought with my weight since I was very young, and still do. You guys that are fighting something far more dangerous than obesity, BC that is, still deserve a break once in a while. I have basically adopted my Mom's diet for myself, as I was getting too tired of cooking two different meals, and have lost weight in the process. But when that knarly little troll in my gut starts begging me to "scratch the itch", I go for it.

I also noticed the way my Mom's eyes glaze over when she sees me walk by with something really yummy in my paws. Then I feel guilty, and get her a piece of the same stuff, whatever it happens to be. It's not going to set her back by letting her food-stimulated endorphins run wild and free in her brain. I actually believe it does her some good to feel that rush. I know how I feel when I slide that first bite of cheesecake into my gaping pie-hole. I bet it's not much different than when a heroin addict takes off the tourniquet and the drug surges into their veins. Geezzz....I'm making myself hungry...lol.

I must say that I am jealous that you are able to grow so many different goodies in your own garden. I would love to have such foods available, and to exercise 45 minutes each day. My right bicep is disproportionately over-developed from opening the refrigerator door and lots of fork work.

The message is simple. Vent away, don't beat yourself up over an errant goody, and relax. Just be glad that you haven't fallen as far as poor Maryann, who has stooped so low as to eat MARSHMALLOW icing on chocolate cake, which is clearly a crime against humanity. We all know fully well, that only homemade vanilla buttercream icing should be used on chocolate cake. We can only hope that she comes to her senses soon. While we all wait for Maryann to snap back to reality, you go make yourself something really good to munch on, and stop worrying.

Seriously supersized,
Tom

[Sherryg683]

I eat what I want, pretty much always have. I don't buy organic. I have always been very physically fit, worked out and healthy, non smoker, non drinker. I doubt very seriously that me eating meat or not balancing the Omegas is what gave me the cancer in the first place and I doubt very seriuosly that it will cure my cancer if I were to suddenly change. Don't get me wrong, I don't overeat and am still very conscious of my weight but I am not going to deprive myself of something I want, in moderation. I will have a PIECE of cake when I want, just not the whole cake. My Oncologist told me to eat whatever I wanted, I like the guy...:) --sherryg683

[tousled1]

I totally agree with everyone's response. Don't feel guilty ever. If you want to eat cake and ice cream do it. I believe that anything in moderation will not harm you. And please feel free to vent here anytime you want. You'd be amazed at the support you get.

[RhondaH]

Of COURSE you need to have a treat once in a while. While yes, I do the Breast Cancer diet religiously 6 days a week, the OTHER day a week I let myself eat what I want (I KNEW when I started it in 2/05, that the ONLY way I would stick to it was if I gave myself one day to "do what I want". Take care, but also, ENJOY!!!!

Rhonda

[pattyz]

Astrid!!!!!!!! Give yourself a break, please! Am so glad to see your post as I've become 'sick' of seeing recommeded this and that on and on ad nauseum.


Presently, I eat what I want as it moves me. Sometimes salads for days (non organic with lots of dressing), sometimes strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.... or an ice cream cone with chocolate and nuts.

Or a grapefruit/orange peeled. A taco salad a burger or hotdog..... you get the idea, I'm sure.

I have had brain mets for four yrs with two recurrances. Still have 8 that are 'stable' as of scan two mos ago... My onc has told me TWICE: Keep doing whatever you're doing. And so, I DO!

Enjoying life is using your senses...all of them :o)

hugs,
pattyz
p.s. would love to 'graze' in your garden some morning!!

[chrisy]

Astrid and others.

OK, now I am REALLY hungry after reading this thread! And I completely agree with all of you...
I think it's really valuable to get as much information as we can about how we can eat healthier, strengthen our bodies and tip the odds as much as we can in our favor. Omega 3/6, organics, veggies, super shakes, exercise, on and on...like many of you, I work very hard to respect what I put in my body as it all contributes to healing. For me, part of healing includes being gentle with myself and enjoying an occasional "guiltless" pleasure - Good for the soul has to be good for the body as well!
Tom, I know what you mean about "cheesecake rush" as well as proper treatment of chocolate cake!

Boy am I hungry...think I'll go have a taste of some 78% dark RIGHT NOW!

Love and (chocolate) kisses to all

Chris

p.s. After posting this I was reading something and came across the following quote from Hippocrates:
"Food or drink slightly inferior in itself, but more pleasant, should be preferred to that better in itself but less pleasant"
I take that as an endorsement of "good" eating in all senses of the word.

[mamacze]

Dear Girl and guy friends,
While we all try to eat healthy, when there is a reason to push aside the broccoli for chocolate, I say go for it!
Love Kim from CT

[Lolly]

Just polished off a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce :P

<3 Lolly

[lu ann]

I wish I could of shared some of my 25th wedding anniversary cake with all of you. My daughters and my mother in-law surprised my husband and I with a party with most of our friends and family. It was wonderful to see everyone, some of which havn't seen me since before dx. I've reached another milestone.

My next is my younger daughters sweet sixteen birthday 2/3/07. She can get her temps. 8/3/06. That's just 4 days away. YIKESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Love and Blessings from Lu Ann.

[dawn]

I know what you're saying. But Im a big steak lover and with the summer being here, I just cant say no. But I must admit, I just gorge on tossed salads with lots of veggies and fruit for dessert, so that kind of cuts down on the amount of steak I eat. I have been walking and tread milling quite a bit. But I've found with chemo, I just cant keep in shape, it seems the weight just keeps coming on and there's nothing I can do about it. Any suggestions, as to why Im ballooning?
Dawn

[chrisy]

I also gained weight with chemo. My doctor said is was likely due to the premeds - are you getting steroidal premeds? Also, although I tried, the longer I was on chemo, the less energy I had, and therefore the less exercise I actually did.
I asked to reduce the steroid, which they did; this may have helped me not gain as much. Keep doing the best you can to stay active, this will help you in many ways, beyond the weight issue. But also be gentle with yourself, you are dealing with a lot.

[Bev]

Hi Astrid, I felt the same way. I guess I was even angry. Media portrays the typical BC victim as older, overweight, non-exercising and eating red meat. For HER2+, none of it seems true. I've cut back my 5 day per week exercising to 3 in protest. I feel like a lot of good that did me. I have been adding the supplements as I figure they can't hurt. I'm going to include beer and steak in my diet unless they have a study that shows 100% of beer and steak eaters die.Of course I will eat broccoli with that steak. I think eventually we'll be able to find what works for us. I think it's normal to feel angry that we're in this boat.

[Patty H]

I was never over weight, I went to the gym at least twice a week. I walked anywhere from 4 to 8 miles the days inbetween. I was doing what was called 9 is divine, where I got 9 fruits and vegetables a day. At work my friends said when I brought in snacks that we shared, that it was like grazing in a field. My kids swear I fed them sticks and weeds. And I was the one that got breast cancer. During my first treatments I ate comfort foods like hot fudge Sundays. Afterwards I fell back into my old habits and went back to the gym and back to the healthy foods. When the cancer came back my friend who hates vegetables and exercise, told me she was never eating another vegtable and when I finshed the treatments she would teach me how to eat the fat and sit in front of the TV. LOL I never have finshed treatments but now I tried to eat good things but I also eat the other stuff. No more 8 mile walks, can't do that anymore, but I do 2 mile walks. No more gym I just didn't have the strength anymore so I gave up my memebership. Some times I think what good did it do me to try be healthy but them my husband says it is probably the reason I have done this well so far. July 21 was my 6 years and I am still here. I ask my Dr. if it was true that cancer feeds on sugar, he said yes, BUT all carbs including vegetables turn into suger !! So I agree with moderation. I want to enjoy what life I have. Patty H

[heblaj01]

Dr Gabe Mirkin who promoted (long before it was adopted by the American Medical Association in 1998) the heart/diabetes healthy diet rich in whole grains, legumes & vegetables stated in response to a querry that studies had shown that splurging on the "wrong" foods twice or so per month would not undo the benefits of his diet.

I don't know if this applies to cancer cases but if diabetes markers are not affected then the detrimental effects of occasional "sins" in diet observance are likely to be limited.