Can cheese honestly be
that bad for you?
I don't know about you but some of my favorite foods are bread, pasta, and CHEESE! I love cheese. I grew up in family where it was a requirement to have a fridge and cabinet filled with healthy options. But, one thing that was always a staple was cheese. If I complained to my Mom that I was hungry her response was, "Katie, dinner is soon. Please choose a healthy snack. How about apples and cheese slices or celery and peanut butter?" 9 times out of 10 I chose apple with cheese slices. It was strange, but while Dorito's and pop were considered HORRIBLE for me; cheese was a fairly healthy choice to hold me over. I'm not talking about that cheese that looks and tastes like plastic...I'm talking about the fabulous, deliciously good deli cheese. My Dad did the grocery shopping every week and would wait in the dreaded deli line to get specialty cheeses. Mmmmmmmm. I can't think of a more tasty snack - well, maybe cheese melted on a bagel!
As soon as I started Jenny Craig I asked, "Am I allowed to add cheese to the foods? What about even fat-free cheese?" My answer was a solid no. Not even a little? Absolutely not. I was even turned down when I asked about cottage cheese! I'm not kidding when I say my heart felt like it dropped. Were they serious? First no bagels and now no cheese?! I decided to listen to my consultant at first. I mean, they were the experts, right? I wanted to see the number on the scale drop each week. After a few months I decided I was happy with all the weight I had lost. I decided to slip in a little fat-free sprinkle cheese on my breakfast sandwich each day. The first week or two I did continue losing. Then for several weeks I plateaued, and even gained a pound or two. I was firm with my consultant that I was not cheating. Both of us were stumped as to what the problem was. All the sudden it occurred to me! That little bit of cheese I had begun adding daily to my breakfast might be the problem. The following week I did away with the cheese, just to see if I lost, and of course...I did! Cheese sure is good but I would rather have a smaller waist line and be happy about myself then continue my addiction to cheese. I do occasionally on a meal have a little Parmesan because it is very low in calories and fat. I try not to deprive myself completely of cheese but it is a rarity that I indulge my craving! What food do you crave?
Tonight it was my Mom's birthday dinner. Find out tomorrow what I did to "celebrate"...
Weight - 118. 4 lbs.
Exercise - 60 minutes power walking
SUNDAY
Breakfast -
1 packet no-sugar added oatmeal
Banana
1/2 cup milk
Lunch -
2 slices whole wheat bread (160 cal, 1 g of fat)
2 oz. Healthy One's Honey Ham
mustard
Carrots
6 oz. yogurt
sugar-free jello
Snack -
Nectarine
Dinner -
2 oz. turkey burger and ketchup
1/2 cup Idaho instant potatoes
Salad (romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers)
2 tbsp. light cucumber yogurt dressing
Snack -
SoBe 0 cal, 0 sugar, 0 fat Fuji Apple Drink
100 calorie pack
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