Food, Glorious Food

For the last week, I've been on a detox diet. Partly for health reasons but mostly in preparation for my upcoming overseas holiday, I'm on a restrictive eating plan that would make even a rabbit binge in disgust. Carbs, sugar and fats are out and so is alcohol, and more depressingly, coffee, too. Instead, I've been munching on fruits, eating steamed veggies, downing protein shakes, and drinking lots and lots and lots of water. I've never gone to the toilet so much in my life! Aside from the initial headaches due to caffeine and sugar withdrawals, I feel great - my insides feel clean, I have energy to burn and my cravings are gone. I've even lost a kilo when I did my weigh-in this morning.

One thing I hadn't counted on though is the effect it's having on my social life. It's been rather interesting this past week.

Have you ever noticed how our relationship with people or the way we relate to others usually involve some form of eating or drinking? No, really. Take a moment. Think about it. We are beings who celebrate with food and drink. We have dinner with family, share a beer with mates, have meals with friends, catch up for coffee, and heck, we even give out edible treats as presents and gifts.

It's something I've never really taken notice of and, I guess, something I have always taken for granted, but lately, it's something I've recently become acutely aware of.

With a friend visiting from Sydney, my friends and I had organised to meet up for dinner. The venue was a place I have frequented often with plenty of favourites on the menu. The challenge this time was to find something that will fit my prescribed eating plan. Caesar salad, tandoori chicken, Vietnamese spring rolls were big no-nos. Instead I went for a bowl of vegetable chick pea soup and a side of steamed vegetables. I was fine with my rather meager choice when the waiter was taking our orders... until he asked what I'd wanted to drink. Just plain water, thanks. I could almost hear what he was thinking and see him turn his nose up. I wanted to tell him that no, I'm not really a tightarse scrimping on cheapies. I have money. Really I do. I just can't eat or drink like a normal person for now.

And just this past weekend, I attended another social event. A friend's birthday soiree... at a bar. I lost count of how many times I had to explain to people why I was nursing a bottle of water and not getting suitably lubricated like everyone else. You should have seen the looks of bemusements and pity on their faces. I felt like a real right pariah. I think I should just say no to invites. It'll be easier.

In any case, I still have at least another week to go. I'm hoping that by that stage I'd have the pre-holiday body in check, ready to get fattened up again. In the mean time though, I'm gonna stick to my guns. I'll try not to succumb to the collective jeers, remarks and temptations. And I hope that by the end, I haven't done too much damage to my social life. Or lost all of my friends.

Hmmmm... cake!