Oy! I don’t know if this challenge is going to work for me. My diet (in the plainest sense) is completely different from what it was in the States. Here I eat much less and drink much more. When I think about my caloric intake, it is probably nowhere near where it should be, since I don’t eat very much, and the things I do eat are not as dense in calories as many western foods. Usually for breakfast I eat a noodle soup. Sometimes crab, sometimes beef/pork/chicken. For lunch, it is often rice and vegetables and some sort of protein (I love fish!) and often times I don’t even eat dinner. My appetite has definitely decreased; I can be satisfied despite the little food that I do eat. Perhaps it is an effect of the humidity. Who knows?
Whatever calories I do lack gets overcompensated with beer/wine/coffee. That is my main problem.
For the last few days I have been hanging out with expats, mainly American and British, and whenever we go out, it’s always for a drink or some western food (fries, pizza once). On my own, I don’t do any of this because of the cost being so prohibitive but also because it’s a social thing, you know? It’s tempting to while the hours away with a drink or two. Or three. It’s so unhealthy and bad for the heart, not to mention the complexion. But I have justified it thus far as welcoming myself to a new home and becoming familiar with a place entirely different from America. Of course everything is relatively cheap here, but with my allowance/budget of only $200/month that is meant to include both accommodation and food, it’s not wise to spend so much on drink. Hell, I don’t even like beer all that much (though I love wine… but that is too expensive to indulge in, even here). I have to say, however, that meeting these new friends have definitely made me happier. So much so that the loneliness is almost abated. Almost.
It’s just not doing very much for my pledge to lose weight and adopt better eating habits. On that front, however, I am definitely changing. I crave vegetables. I crave fish. Everything is so healthfully cooked that I can even indulge in doughy, white food and still not feel guilty as long as I get the vegetables. Since meat is expensive, anything you order will most likely be padded with vegetables and rice, which makes things so much better for you.
The school I work for also has an amazing cook and the meals have to be nutritious for the kids, so the food is loaded with fish and vegetables… and it’s amazing!
So if I can watch my alcohol intake and drink more water, all is good. Oy, and I’m totally planning to hit a bar tonight to meet some people.
The biggest problem besides booze is that I am adapting to the local diet here, which is almost nonexistent in America, and part of this idea of becoming a “better, healthier you” is about learning good habits. If I were to cook for myself in America, no problem. I love this food and can cook really well. The problem would be when I return to dormitory life and the only thing available is prepared food from Commons (the dining hall). It would be foolish to spend more money to NOT use my board plan, but the Western food they provide is tasteless and often fatty. There is of course, a good salad bar, but the vegetables available in the States is nothing compared to here. Not to mention the way it’s prepared.
Dear god, I will miss the food if anything here.
