Eating

My mother radically changed her eating habits a few years ago. In the past, she ate a lot of junk food and was overweight. Sometimes she would try to go on a diet, but it would never last. But now she understands how unhealthy processed foods are – they’re full of food additives that contribute to weight gain and heart problems.

Nowadays, she eats a balanced diet including a lot of nourishing meals that she prepares herself. She doesn’t buy organic food because she thinks the prices are outrageous, but she stocks up on fresh produce so that she can grab an apple or some veggies when she wants a quick snack. She has also learned to eat in moderation and watch her portion sizes.

I often drop by her house when I’m in the mood for a home-cooked meal. Some days ago she made a hearty stew that was full of beans and vegetables. My brother, who has a healthy appetite, had a second helping – but I found the stew so filling that I could barely finish my bowl.

My mother recently told me that she’d like to try some international cuisine. I was surprised to hear that, because a few years ago she had a bad experience after getting food poisoning at a Japanese restaurant. So tomorrow I’m taking her to a Brazilian steakhouse. I told her to eat light meals during the day so that she doesn’t spoil her appetite for dinner (“spoiling your appetite” means eating food earlier, and then not being hungry for a meal later).