Diet

It's time for this girl to go on a diet.

Now, before the moans and groans begin, let me clarify. I am not doing this for attention. I'm not one of those skinny girls that thinks she needs to be even skinnier.

This is for medical reasons. I've recently discovered that not one, but both of my parents are borderline diabetic. Neither has been put on medication yet, but they have both been told by their doctors to drastically alter their diet. Since I'm a die-hard sweet-tooth, maybe I should get started early.

Here's my problem... I absolutely love natural sweets, like fruits, and especially peaches. I also enjoy my gigantic "Polar Pop" cups of mountain dew that I get at work. The other problem I have? I cant eat many artificial sweeteners. I'm sensitive to aspertame (it burns my throat), and I find that most artificial sweeteners taste more disgusting than sweet. What's a sugarholic to do?

Another thing to work on is my excessive eating in general. Ever since I got sick in Japan and lost 10 pounds from a single day of vomiting, I think my brain has been kicked into "gain back the weight" overdrive. I now notice a little uncomfortable jiggle in my step. I'm also tired a lot. I feel like a change in diet might be just the thing my body needs.

New on the "to eat more" list: vegetables, low-sugar yogurt, limited fruit, whole-grains, water, lean protein, fish, etc.

Now on the "to eat less of" list: pop, sugar, excessive candy, fast foods, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, chinese food, etc.

Eventually I'll need to figure in an exercise routine too.

If anyone has any other common-sense suggestions to give, I'd love to hear them! I want to feel healthy from the inside out! I don't need to be a stick, but I'd like to feel comfortable in my own skin. :)