Terry Foster's Blog

Category: My health

Watch how much you eat when you cheat

After telling me I was diabetic my doctor asked me what I loved to eat. I told her I love pizza, burgers, beer, ice cream and steak.

She said "guess what. You can still have all of that. Being diabetic and losing weight does not mean you have to give up all of your favorite foods. You can still have dessert and enjoy yourself. You have to do it in moderation. Maybe you only have one burger a week, not three times a week. I want you to treat yourself."

I have cheat days. I have cheat meals but I do not go all out like I used to. Before going on this diet I probably cheated twice a day. Now I cheat two or three times a week. But I cheat in moderation.

When I went to New York I was going to have some Juniors cheese cake. Instead of eating an entire slice I split slices with my Son Little B. We decided what flavor we wanted and made joint decisions.

I cheat at McDonald's with two regular hamburgers, a small fry and water.

I cheat at the bar by drinking lite beer and having a drink with diet soda.

But I do not cheat every day. I save it for the weekend or special occasions. You have to be disciplined and you have to fight this battle every day. But you need a break. You need to cheat now and then. But even when you cheat, do it in moderation.

I no longer eat pies and cake. My treat for the weekend is two giant cookies. One on Saturday and one on Sunday. When I have pizza I eat two slices rather than four. Moderation. Try frozen yogurt and fruit instead of ice cream and chocolate sauce. But even when you cheat make sure you drink plenty of water. That should never change.

I can be reached at Terry.Foster@detnews.com or 313-222-1494.