Good Things: Comfort Foods

For so long, my food choices were based on, “What if I’m pregnant?”  It was a valid question when we were going through infertility treatments.  But even when we were simply monitoring ovulation on our own, I still worried that I might be eating something that would hurt the baby.

So, for ten years, I avoided certain foods.  No hot dogs.  No soda (except when Aunt Flo visited).  Not one sip of alcohol—ever.  I even limited how much fish I ate.  Every single food that went in my mouth was evaluated with the hope that I was keeping our baby healthy… Or at least not hurting our chances of becoming pregnant.

But this is no longer the case.  Now, I know, without the shadow of a doubt, that I am infertile.  And I embrace my infertility.  This means that I don’t have the constant fear of eating something “bad” that is going to hurt my ability to become pregnant or worse, harm our baby.  There is no baby growing in my womb, and so, I indulge in all the comfort foods that I love.

This means, when my hubby asks if we can have hot dogs for lunch (because they are one of his favorite foods), I just say, “Yes!”  We don’t argue that I don’t think I should eat them, I don’t covet his Coney Island dogs, and I don’t feel guilty for partaking in a chili dog.

Soda is a different story.  My husband and I are trying to eat healthy simply because we want to live a long, happy life together.  But when I do get a hankering for a Coke, I have a few sips.  And it doesn’t matter what time of the month it is!

And alcohol…  Well, I do love a good chocolate martini.  Or pumpkin martini.  Or hot chocolate with Kahlua.  Or spiked egg nog.  You get my point.  If I want to have a drink at dinner or go to a club with my hubby or just enjoy an adult beverage at home, I can.  No guilt.  No worries.  (But do remember to always be responsible!  Never drink and drive!)

And fish?  Salmon is one of my favorite foods.  And I eat it every chance I get, which is a lot since we live in South Carolina!

Honestly, I think one of the bright sides of infertility and being childless is that you can eat whatever you want!  One of our favorite things is to go to new restaurants and try exotic foods.  We love that we don’t have to worry if corndogs are on the menu or if the food “looks right.”

And spicy food!  Yummy!  We throw cayenne pepper in everything we cook.  From scrambled eggs to chicken salad, our food has flavor!

So, as this holiday season gets into full swing, be grateful that your Thanksgiving menu can include stuffed mushrooms and giblet gravy and wine (or a martini, in my case).  Or even better, it can include a dinner cruise in New York City.  That’s where my hubby and I will be, enjoying all the comfort foods.  No guilt.  No worries.  Just eating whatever we want!

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Photo Credit:  Alisa Anton on StockSnap.io