The Lighter Side of: Strict Diets

Due to my ever complicated Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, I have had to try a shocking number of really strict diets.
All of them made it difficult to eat out, many were restrictive of using herbs and spices, but they were all informative.
I always give each diet a minimum of 3 months, but usually for 6+ months - no cheat days, no stretching the limits, no wavering.
Many of these diets taught me about foods that really do impact me negatively, which foods I should continue to eat, and which foods I simply do not need. Most of the latter foods were either far too expensive compared to the benefit or that food just did not make a difference.

The most notable Lighter Side of Strict Diets is that it encouraged me to learn how to cook.

When eating out is difficult (this was at a time where most people had never heard the term 'gluten-free' and 'vegan' was such a minute part of the population it was essentially unheard of), or when modifying meals out is too much of a hassle, the best choice is to cook at home for yourself.
So I learned.
I learned, I practiced, I watched cooking shows, and I even dated a couple of Sous Chefs at one time or another.

I am no chef, by any means, but I still love cooking. I love hosting food parties. I love trying new recipes and learning new cooking techniques. I even thought, once, of going to a culinary school!

So even though strict diets can be daunting and may change how you go about having a social life, it can also direct you towards some new life skills.