From “Good” foods to Good Food
I used to think eggs were “bad” for me.
Cholesterol. Fat. Bad things.
And then I heard egg whites were a better alternative. No cholesterol. No fat. Less calories. You know, “healthy”.
So in college, during my hard-core calorie counting days, I started eating egg whites.
And when I say I started eating egg whites, I mean I started eating cartons of 100% liquid egg whites, that I microwaved in a mug with a tiny chunk of fat free cheese. Mmm, is that making your mouth water?
Yes it was a lot of protein and not a lot of calories, but it tasted like eating a shoe.
When I came to the realization that I could actually eat foods I enjoy, not just foods that are “good” for me, I stopped choking down those cartons.
And that’s been my relationship with eggs.
Then I started dating Alex, and found out that one of his many talents is making delicious omelets. I figured eggs deserved another chance.
Besides, if someone was making you a breakfast that looked that delicious, would you argue? I feel like I’ve learned so much over the past few years, not the least of which is that it’s ok to eat what I’m craving. The yolks aren’t going to kill me. Real food is quite delicious, and if you eat what you really want, you don’t leave the kitchen feeling deprived. I can’t help by roll my eyes at my college-me, who thought that endless packages of tofu noodles and celery sticks would make me happy.
I’m happy I can relax and enjoy real food with people I love.
So I think my definition of “good food” has changed a lot since my plain-egg-white-eating-days. I don’t “eat clean” 100% of the time, but I truly enjoy eating my vegetables. I love the taste of fresh fruit or a tall glass of vegetable juice. But I also enjoy wine, frozen yogurt, and real eggs. These particular eggs came from Pair-A-Dice farms, in Lunenburg, Virginia.
(Side note: I totally think egg whites are healthy, and if you love ’em, eat ’em! My goal was simply to remind you to eat things you enjoy!)
Life is about balance, and the more I embrace it, the happier I am. Besides, who could say no to that omelet?
Liz, I LOVE this post. I have been really beating myself up lately over my diet. I need to take a step back and just enjoy food again. Thank you for the reminder.
Liz, I was the SAME way in college — only eating egg white omelets, etc. It’s funny because now that I’m a few years out of college and eating whole foods, I actually weigh less! I think it speaks to the point you brought up, that if you eat whole, satisfying foods, you eat less!
Awww, lovely post! I too have been buying real cheese and whole eggs. I always felt too wasteful just eating the whites anyway, and the whole thing tastes sooooo much better!
I feel ya. It’s hard to let go of habits you make when you’re hard core calorie counting (especially in college! I feel like I’m still breaking those habits I formed when I was a freshman and I’m almost done now). I used to only eat egg whites too, but now the only thing I use them for is baking and it’s for the ease not the nutrition facts :). All about the little progresses!
Great post, Liz! I used to have the same mentality years ago. Now I like to think of good food as the stuff that nourishes the body and the mind.
Wow, that omelet looks GOOD! And you are right..omelets generally do taste A LOT better when made with the whole egg :).
Awesome post, Liz! And awesome looking breakfast, too! I stink at omelet creating!
we were the same way with eggs many years ago, but now our views on food have changed and we love our whole eggs – especially the yolks 😉
xoxo
Amen! I won’t lie: I actually enjoy the taste of egg whites buuuut I enjoy the taste of yolk THAT much more to feel the need to add them in. Good food to me is encompasses more than just nutrition: it’s a combo of how it tastes, how good it is for me nutritionally and how good it makes my digestive system feel!
Love love this post!! I’m just coming to terms with trying to stop labeling foods as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ I think it will take me a while to get rid of that food noise. To me good food is brunch, poached eggs, avocado, good bread, smoked salmon and I’m in heaven. Especially if you add a cup of tea with milk and honey.