Eat/Don’t Eat

My Ongoing Battle Around Food

1970s

When I was a kid, my mother served me ludicrous proportions of food. I’m guessing this was brought on by her own Middle Eastern childhood food insecurities.

Eat

Both of us were stubborn, and I’d spend all day, every day at the table, my lips firmly sealed.

Eat

1980s

By my teens, expectations changed mainly due to my diet which was limited to one food group. Sugar.

Don't Eat

When my 20 pack-a-day chocolate habit began to show, my family let me know.

Don't Eat

1990s

Shame was an effective deterrent and by my late twenties, I lost a third of my body weight, not by dieting but by swimming several hours a day.

The weight loss did little to appease my family.

Eat

2020s

One would think some self-awareness might stop me repeating the cycle with my children, but it hasn’t.

Eat

My kids are similarly stubborn.

Don't Eat

On the bright side, I’ve learned to be more vocal about my own food preferences.

Eat

Even if my communication style could use some work.

Don't Eat