A Case for Full Fat Ice Cream

I am lactose intolerant and dairy foods cause me intestinal pain. I retain water after I eat sugar foods and the next morning my eyes are swollen, my joints hurt and I feel sluggish. Therefore, I do not eat sugar or dairy foods often; my mouth loves them, but my body hates them. However, I do not deny myself anything so when I really want ice cream I buy it, enjoy it, and then I am done with it for some time.

Yesterday, ice cream was calling me so I picked up a container of butter pecan. By the time I arrived home, it was the perfect semi-soft consistency. I grabbed a spoon and proceeded to enjoy every mouthful. With the first taste, I knew something was missing; I can taste butter pecan in my sleep and I knew this was off. I looked at the carton; in my haste, I had grabbed the low fat version.

I was disappointed. The entire value of the treat was gone and it was no longer worth the calories or the subsequent body discomfort and pain. If the taste of any food is not spectacular, I do not eat it. It does not matter if it is a carrot salad, an apple or ice cream, if the flavor is not out of this world it is not worth eating. Low fat ice cream, no salt potato chips, baked potato chips, sugar free candies just are not worth eating because the flavor is gone.

Many people have severe dietary concerns and I realize they are grateful for the low fat, low salt, and low sugar choices in the market. I am happy that they can have their cake and eat it too. For me, however, if the taste is not exactly what I want, it has lost all of its pleasure. Let’s Cook Tonight® teaches a common sense approach to cooking and eating for maximum health, flavor and enjoyment. It makes sense to eat foods that provide the most enjoyment. Whether it is a “bad” sugary, salty snack or a “healthy” green salad, in order to be worth eating it must have real flavor.

Cooking is easier than you think and you are worth the time and effort it takes.

Simple cooking substitution: 1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup white sugar + 1 tablespoon of molasses.