I have always loved to try new food. Truly, I really cannot remember a time where food was not exciting. I don’t know if I had something to do with the way I grew up, or if food lover is in my blood. Either way, food has always been exciting and fun to me.

So whether it comes to trying a limited-time offer at a restaurant, or trying a totally new to me cuisine…I am in!

Struggling to Explore!

One thing that was always a giant struggle to me while dieting was trying a new recipe.  Whether the ingredients were foreign to me or something I used all the time, I had such a struggle trying to figure out points or calories proper portion sizes or macros in a new recipe.

So when something becomes too difficult, I would simply avoid it. This is how I approached new foods and new recipes.  Sadly, avoiding!! 

Until Fasting…!

When I started fasting however, I am able to try any new food whether I make it, whether I follow a recipe or eating food prepared outside the home. If it sounds good, I am free to indulge.

I will forever say Fasting has given me the gift of freedom.

Around the World

This freedom is especially nice when I want to try foods that represent many cuisines. Here are some favorites that I have recently been able to enjoy:

Asian bowls from a local favorite restaurant is a perfect example.  These bowls are filled with toppings & sauces of choice … they are delicious.  There is no way I would be able to enjoy these if I were dieting.   The calories are unknown. The customized toppings make it hard to quantify exactly what we’re consuming.  Also, small restaurants have no obligation to sharing calories of their dishes – so mom & pop shops can’t help in the tracking.  And I love small restaurants more than chain ones!  That’s where I want to eat!!

Butter chicken… literally among my favorite foods ever.  So delicious and 100% window worthy.  Not only do I love making this at home, but we always have to order this when we’re in Baltimore, MD.  We heard from a local doctor that they serve amazing Indian food… we were hooked from the very first try!

Do we know the calories? No!  Could I find out if I tried?  Impossible!  Will I let it stop me from enjoying their Butter Chicken and Chicken Pakora every time we do to Baltimore? Absolutely not!  See below… drooling as I look.

Another favorite – Chicken Shawarma.  My husband spent a number of years in early childhood living in Saudi Arabia.  When I first started dating him, I had never heard of a Shawarma…. My mind was blown!  DELICIOUS… hummus, garlic oil, marinated chicken, pickles, etc.   Over the years I have adapted his mom’s recipe and made additions to the meal… such as tabouli!  

It’s a wonderful homemade meal – but not something with known weight watchers points!  Do I really want to measure out each scoop of hummus?! NO  Or weigh before I drizzle garlic oil?  NO 

Easy to Enjoy Now!

The ease in which fasting allows me to eat, explore and enjoy new foods (that often become favorites!!)  My only decision is – am I eating now or am I fasting? Simple… after I am within my eating window – anything that sounds appetizing is on the table.  No counting, no measuring, just joy!

What are the calories in this local restaurant’s birria tacos?  Who knows!!  It was a delicious mean.

One note, I  do talk about 500 calorie meals.  Those are intentional down days, where yes I do count and measure.  I do those at most 1/week.  However, it’s not my norm and it’s followed by a day where I then intentionally eat more.  It’s a short term sacrifice that I don’t consider a lifestyle.  These down days are not the days I explore new cuisine!