Turning Down Sweets: Rude or Smart

Turning Down Sweets: Rude or Smart 

Liver disease from Nash, fatty, autoimmune, PBC, cirrhosis or Hepatitis C can put us in some sticky situations. I threw away a piece of chocolate S’mores cake this week. After taking one sugary bite, my whole mouth pinched up, and my eyes watered. As a dinner guest, I felt obliged to scoop a serving, and taking a bite. Then, looking around to see if anyone was watching, I made my move. There wasn’t a trash can in sight, so I discreetly headed toward a corner of the kitchen. I sat the plate on the counter and gave it a little shove, and then I made a beeline back to my chair and wondered, Is turning down sweets: rude or smart for liver disease?

Rude or Smart? The Mental Battle

I don’t know about you, but a sugar high after supper makes my neck hurt. The chocolate and white melty mess laid on my tongue and my mouth was wide open. It was there for the whole world to see. Clamping my lips together and making chewing motions was painful. But I didn’t want to be rude. Good manners are important, especially when people have gone out of their way to serve something delicious.

In this instance, I had to get the sugar out of my mouth. I swallowed hard and fast with a bad rush going down my spine. My smart self knew that it was never rude to take care of my body. 

I’m a people pleaser, but one time, right after a big bowl of sugary cereal, I had a varicose bleed once. Eating food that could land me in the hospital isn’t rude… is it? I was polite. I simply snuck over and laid the plate down.

Sugar is Scary to Me

Liver disease adds a  burden to our ability to process food. Sugar is hard on our liver. Because our liver is a warehouse, storage facility, and processing plant for all of our food, we have to give it the good foods. Sugar should be eaten in small, healthy doses.

My transplant doctor even got me to give up my Pop Tarts when I had liver cancer. My fruit and dark chocolate addiction is legendary. I am Not just automatically eating something because it’s offered. I think about it. 

What do you think about when you’re making a food choice?

Sit up straight.

Shoulder blades together.

You’re smart to be listening to your body.

Smile.

Inhale slowly through your nose.

Your body is a miracle.

This moment is a gift.

When you go to bed tonight, you’ll thank yourself.

Find the leftover squash from dinner and make that your desert.

Chew it slowly.

Drink a glass of water.

Way to go girl.

I don’t know if you have very many moments like that. Where someone you love has gone to a lot of work to prepare a meal, or a special dish. We want to be polite. How can we show our gratitude and not hurt our body? That’s what it is about.

We have to decide: Do we hurt someone’s feelings, or do we hurt our body?

Sugar hurts me. I feel it in my joints. Neuropathy tingles and shoots up and down my arms and legs. My head gets fuzzy and I start to talk fast. It’s been like that for years with hepatic encephalopathy or HE. Talk about an epic mess.

It’s NOT rude to live well. Being on my best behavior means I do what is best for me every chance I get. If that bothers anyone, I just smile and drink water. Who can be mad at you for that? In the meantime, my sugar high comes from fruit. Watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, and peaches. They’re in abundance this time of year and I hope you are enjoying them too. It’s the liver loving way to eat.

I love you like I love peaches. A bushel and a peck! Xo Karen

BTW the dinner was in honor of my niece who is a brilliant and beautiful young lady. She is a healthy eater, and has always supported my efforts. She’s also too polite to question my dietary needs… beside, we adore each other.

Turning Down Sweets: Rude or Smart? I’ve decided it’s smart. For more about making healthy choices, click here.