I must admit that I miss the days when bagels were the new donuts and people were flocking to bring them to work as meeting goodies. When I lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I worked at a company where bagel Fridays were a common occurrence. I had two favorites: the chocolate chip and the salt bagel. Both were warm and chewy on the inside with a outer layer that was slightly browned and had just the right “snap” sound when you broke it in half. There was no need for any spread on a fresh bagel like this. The salt flavor had just the right amount of salt on the bottom that made it taste even better than a warm pretzel. It has been 15 years since I lived there but my mouth still waters from the carbohydrate memory.
Looking for a lover of pasta? I’m your girl. A cup of fresh brewed coffee and a delicate pastry was my idea of how to start a great day. Staples on my weekly grocery list were red wine and bread from the bakery. I could certainly never give up pizza. Thin crust or Chicago deep dish, I love it all. I was perfectly happy until the Atkins diet became popular and all of a sudden, my favorite foods became my enemies.
I tried to be good but it was hard. As I dined out with friends, it would be my turn to order and although I meant to say, “I’ll have a salad with fat free dressing” the words that escaped were, “grilled chicken rigatoni” or “the seafood Alfredo chef’s special.” I still have a hard time resisting a great glass of wine with a homemade pasta dish. Truth be known, I’d give up a sugary dessert for a fresh loaf of sourdough bread.
Carbohydrates are nearly impossible to exclude from your diet. Grains, fruits and vegetables all contain carbohydrates. I began to realize that moderation was the key for me. Of course, I still have my weaknesses. If the following statements are true for you, than you may also be a carboholic:
1. You can name 10 different kinds of pasta in less than a minute.
2. You are perfectly satisfied having fresh bread, homemade pesto and wine for dinner.
3. When you tasted the “better than sex” rich chocolate cake, you did not think that the name was an exaggeration.
4. You choose a restaurant for dinner based on the kind of bread that they bring out as they take your drink order.
5. You would love a trip to Italy and not for the scenery.
Are you a carboholic? Admitting it is the first step.