What food do you think about giving up?

Sarah Fuss, Shine Staff



I spent eight months last year as a pescetarian (vegetarian plus fish. I know I know, why hate on the fish. there's no good answer), because I'd spent the better part of my life wondering if I could do without meat altogether. It all began when I was maybe six and found a long colorful vein running through my chicken breast. You've all been there right? It's a loud wake-up call. Like gross and sad but still good-tasting all at once? Being human is a thoroughly confusing eating experience.

After having thought about dropping my land-animal habit for so long, it felt satisfying to put it in action. I ordered the tofu option at Asian restaurants; I ate many many grilled veggie sandwiches; and I turned down my step-mother's veal. I was sticking to my guns, and it felt great. Know what else felt great? To bring an end to it with a mini-slider at my best friends' wedding.

I believe in balance. If you've been thinking for a long time about dropping something, do it! But if you're really craving that forbidden snack, do that. Challenge yourself, but then give yourself a break. So yes, I'm back to the all-animal (except pets and other zoo animals) menu, but maybe I'll take another time-out one day.

Lately, I've been thinking about challenging myself to eat less of Uncle Eddies Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. Like the clerk at Whole Foods said when I was buying them yesterday, "I love those things. I go home and eat all of the bag."

What are you giving up for Lent or what food have you been thinking of giving up lately?

Here's what some of the Yahoo! staff have been thinking of eating around, either for Lent or forever:

"Chips. Too many chips...potato, tortilla. Even though I eat the healthy ones, too many chips."
-Dave Rogers, Managing Editor, Yahoo! Kids

"Things with high fructose corn syrup."
-Lucy Devins, Visual Designer, Entertainment

"Baked sweets, cookies in particular. I ate a white chocolate chip cookie from 7-11 for breakfast."
-Bradley Haag, Market Research Manager, Entertainment

"Red meat."
-Jen Fox, Photo Editor, Yahoo! Movies

"My sister has Celiac Disease, so I've been thinking of giving up glutons."
-Jonathan Crow, Web Content Producer, Yahoo! Movies

"Diet Coke."
Philip Yu, Content Producer, Yahoo! Movies

"Bacon, soda, red meat. I should probably drink more water. Impulse snack purchases: dark chocolate covered pretzels from Trader Joe's, mango mochi balls. Maple syrup (I put it in my coffee) and Cocoa Pebbles."
-Jeff Markus, Technical Producer, Yahoo! Shine