My late Grandfather, who was a decorated war vet and writer with a steely disposition, once shared with me one of his greatest life observations:
“Eating is one of the most intimate things you can do.”
I never understood what he meant by this until last October.
That’s when I removed bread, pasta, cookies, pastries, sweeteners and essentially anything processed from my diet. I decided to go gluten-free and ditch all processed food after an extended period of feeling devoid of energy, sluggish, “blah.” I won’t lie – the first few weeks were equivalent to “diet rehab.” Weaning off the unhealthy choices I used to rely on meant giving up the little highs that got me through the day (a delicious morning latte, a comforting carb-loaded lunch).
But the sacrifice of this new eating practice (even in light of those first few sucky weeks) is nothing compared to what I’ve gained.
I’m twenty pounds lighter, generally happier and more vibrant. By ditching the foods that weren’t honoring my body I’ve ushered in a new clarity. I’ve derived a great deal of power from building my own plan, my way. 
At LIVESTRONG.COM, we’re all about empowering you to do the same. This week, we’re taking a closer look at low fat foods and sharing a delcious, healthy recipe handpicked by the LIVESTRONG.COM team. Also check out the 7 Drinks that WON'T Make You Fat and additional food-related features in The Hot List.
Through information and options, we’re committed to helping you get closer to eating habits that aren’t just sustainable, but eventually enjoyable.
As I've learned personally (and from cheering on our amazing MyPlate trackers) it really comes down to what works for you. If you're starting your own new beginning with food, an honest look at what you know you can reasonably do (more water, more veggies) and what you won’t give up or change (dark chocolate or your favorite Sunday brunch) is a great place to start. If you’re like me, you’ll probably try a few dietary approaches that don’t turn out to be lifelong picks. But if you stay committed I guarantee that you’ll discover your own personal, rewarding relationship with food. And this is the kind of relationship that doesn’t get old. [I’m learning how to successfully pull off a cheat day!]
Here’s to the simple joy of your next meal, made your way. After all, how you choose to nourish your body is just as personal as the act of eating itself.
Sarah Metzger
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