Coping strategies to promote participation in social eating - beyond physical & practical adjustments.
5 things that have helped me.
Housekeeping
The Complete Guide to how I started eating after head & neck cancer treatment (even socially) is available on Amazon here I talk about
The Process, The Cooking and The Doing - I was going to start this section by saying It’s no secret that … but of course it is, it seems to be a big secret that many just don’t know what we go through, this guide is my way of unearthing some of the areas we face trying to establish some ‘normalcy’.
Welcome… welcome …
To the new section GRIT GAIN & GRIN - as the name suggests, this section is all about the things when grit and determination are required, what the gains might be & with success rounding out the grin element when you finally succeed and hit a milestone. This is research and curated information for paid members.
Today’s post is free up to the GRIN point, then - well you know the rest. The 3G’s as I call them will form a regular post in the GAG.| eating life publication going forward. They will always be researched curated & relevant issues from around the globe.
Full access is for paid members. Become a member below.
GRIT
Overcoming Tough Eating Challenges After Treatment
I faced some real challenges with eating after my head and neck cancer treatment, but I was determined to push through. Eating with others became a big deal for me, and two important things stood out: (1) Being careful about the food I ate, and (2) worrying about how I looked & sounded whilst eating.
Being Conscious of Food: I couldn't eat the same things as others, which made social eating tough. It was really disheartening watching friends enjoy pizza and burgers, wine & fresh fruit while I mumbled and bumbled my way through what use to be such an easy and unconscious activity. Dealing with texture modifications and unhelpful restaurant staff also made it hard to eat with others. You know the times when people suggest soft food - for some reason they equate difficulty swallowing with soft food, in my case I needed grip and henceforth called it “grippy food”.
Being Conscious of How I Appeared: After treatment, I was worried about looking messy whilst eating. I felt "childlike" I use to say to people as a defense mechanism, “it’s like eating with a 3 year old be warned”. Eating slowly or having to eat with my hands made me feel self-conscious in public, eating oh so slowly and I got to the point where I’d order food well in advance of others so I could make a start.
GAIN
Smart Moves for Eating with Friends
I had to figure out clever ways to still enjoy eating with friends. Here’s some of my ‘gains’ that kept me focused and driven to succeed.
I had to first work out how to transition off my PEG Tube back to oral eating, easier said than done after 15 months.
I had to find ways to travel without my food and access to my kitchen.
I wanted to eat business luncheons / dinners (still working on this one).
Share a romantic meal, if I ever get to go on a date again.
Have breakfast with my outdoor fitness group.
Eat at work - with colleagues.
GRIN
Finding Joy in Social Eating Despite Challenges
Even though eating with others was tough, I found ways to smile through it. Joy in social eating might be a stretch, I developed strategies and got support to make social eating enjoyable again and not completely out of the question.
Here’s how…