Just the mention of food would make me instantly hungry, and nudge me to the refrigerator to ‘graze.’ There was hardly anything that I wouldn’t eat. I remember when food was my only friend, my confidante, even my hug when I felt sad. I admit that I did not eat to live, but lived to eat. That is until ten years ago when I had a gastric bypass. That changed the importance of food in my life completely. It was a long and difficult transition from eating anytime, anywhere to being able to eat one or two spoonfuls of a food that would taste right to me. My stomach would no longer digest my favorite birthday cake frosting, my daily morning poached egg on toast, and numerous other items that I loved.
To this day it is a chore to go grocery shopping to find something that will nourish me and, most importantly, taste good when I eat it. It seemed that once I found something that fit into my criteria, that would become a staple in my diet for months. There is green olives (I still love), pickles, bananas, crackers, and popsicles. But, there are two things that I will never get over losing. The first is Reese’s Peanut butter. No. Not the one with the chocolate in it. I mean the old one that was the perfect taste that melted in my mouth. The first time I couldn’t see it on the aisle, I thought they had run out. On my second trip I asked the manager just to find out that their stores would no longer carry that brand. That led me on a pilgrimage to find my authentic Reese’s peanut butter. There was not one jar to be found in my vicinity. Well, I grieved that loss and went on. But, if anyone knows where to find my favorite peanut butter, please let me know.
Then there was my yogurt. I will only purchase the small (3.5oz.) containers, so that makes it a challenge to start with. The other thing was that it had a high protein content. That is critical for any gastric bypass patient. And the taste was just as if I were eating a fresh orange. That was my lunch everyday, until my market stopped stocking it. I have searched everywhere for the same, or anything that might come close, and have failed miserably.
Of course, I have had to resort to some other brands and flavors, but they will never compare. Please, please, do not ever let them stop selling my favorite Outshine Wild Cherry popsicles.