The Challenge

My culinary skills are being put to the test!  I have had rave reviews through the years for my ability to put together some scrumptious meals, but never before have I been so thoroughly tested since we began our “new diet” strategy.  The goal:  incorporate at least 30 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber into our day.  That’s just the beginning (or the end).

Until I accidentally challenged my wife, finding major sources of fiber and actually getting them into our mouths was nearly impossible, but then I mentioned I had only been able to reach the “normal” diet requirement of 21 grams twice and I couldn’t remember ever eating so much in my life.  The doctor wants high fiber which is about 35 grams of mostly insoluble fiber.  I didn’t even know there were two types.  My wife loves a good challenge and began doing research.  The first thing I learned from her reading and internet searches was the average American only gets about 5-8 grams of fiber a day compared to the 21 gram recommended goal.  I wasn’t nearly as surprised about that as I was when she told me she had ordered some different things to add to our meals/snacks/cooking.

Beans, seeds, grains and nuts, ground and whole, began to arrive in a rather steady flow.  I’m not sure where I thought the additional fiber was going to come from or maybe I just wasn’t prepared for the super-human enthusiasm she embraced this challenge with, but I opened boxes filled with stuff I had never imagined you could eat.  Sure, we briefly had a Chia pet growing up, but I never ate the grass that grew on it.  Nor would I have considered eating the seeds.  For all I knew, they were poisonous.  Quinoa?  I pronounced it like it’s spelled (Kwee-Noah) until the mother of a vegetarian made me repeat myself 20 times and finally got me to spell it so she knew what I was talking about.  TVP?  When I used to order pizza, I always asked if the toppings were real meat rather than TVP.   Bean flour?  What do I do with that?

I’m learning.  Slowly, painfully, and with as much patience as I can muster, I am learning how to replace the less-than-optimally-nutritious components with highly-nutritious ingredients.  Chia seeds have become a ritual part of breakfast and baking.  I practically had to beg to get more quinoa on our plates and I do most of the cooking.  Bean flour?  Let’s just say it works and I know it’s good for me.  TVP?  I don’t care how it gets into my food as long as it gets there.

Why all the fuss and excitement?

It all goes back to the same reasoning no matter how we try to put a different face on it.  Smooth moves.  I’ve had rectal surgery and if my wife doesn’t do something different she will have to too.  I’ve had plates, screws and bolts put into my neck and back; I’ve had a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer; I had a tonsillectomy as an adult that wasn’t much fun either, but rectal surgery?  I will eat fiber any way I can get it to prevent having to go through that again. 

The biggest challenge is enjoying it.

We’ve also recently learned my wife/life partner may be gluten/wheat intolerant at some level.  We get the results of some biopsies today to find out just how intolerant she is, but on top of the high fiber challenge is not just the reduction of wheat and gluten containing foods, but complete removal. Even though I have shown no signs of wheat or gluten allergies or intolerance, if I continue to devour fresh baked wheat flour based bread, I could become a contaminant in my partner’s life. *waves goodbye to multigrain English muffins with 8 grams of fiber*  And surprisingly, wheat isn't very healthy for humans.

I’m going to learn to use all these ingredients in basic and gourmet cooking and let you know how it goes.  I'll also try different gluten free products and mixes and I’ll share with you my tips, failures, disgust and wherever this takes us, I’ll drag you along too if you are willing to go for the ride.

It’s all about smooth moves, no pain while you drain, and of course, a happy and healthy life together with my wife.  Oh!  And food!  We love good food.