There are hundreds of books, articles, studies and more about what we should eat. Basically, we have to eat. It’s the way we’re made. We need to fuel our bodies…not too much, just enough. And it seems to change as we age.

I used to love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread. Or almond butter. And dunked in milk. Loved it. Comfort food. Even when I would have trouble sleeping, I could get up and have a PB&J and milk, feel satisfied, and go back to bed, and to sleep.

Sometimes I would get an optical migraine…where a spot in my field of vision would grow larger and larger with jagged lines. Sounds scary, right? Turns out these are not hazardous. And for me, maybe it was low blood sugar. Whatever. A dose of PB&J and milk and it would go away, like magic,

At some point, I developed IBS-D. If you’ve had it you know what this is; otherwise I won’t bother you. Eventually I learned what was triggering these episodes. Wheat, for one. Milk for two. Just giving up wheat — I guess it’s called “gluten-free” – made a big difference. Also, the milk. I stuck with yogurt and kefir for awhiie, but that seemed to increase my phlegm, so I’ve gradually eliminated that also.

Beef – well, my former job as a voc rehab counselor took me to meat packing plant where I could see — up close and personal – the whole slaughter procedure, from the konk on the head to the skinning to the decapitation on the “kill floor.” I was doing job analyses on injured workers. Long story short, beef is gone. I’m told grass fed beef is good for we who like protein, but I tend to stick with chicken, turkey and fish.

Then I met a vegan recently. I’m having my chicken something or other and learn that not eating meat is not a health issue; it’s a “moral” issue. That gave me pause. And of course many fish are contaminated with mercury. Needless to say, I felt a bit judged and discombobulated for a few days. I haven’t gone vegan, though.

So to ask again: what should I eat? My metabolism has slowed down at 76, and I’ve accumulated this roll of fat around my once trim waist. The answer seems to be: not much. My stubborn extra 20 pounds is not interested in leaving, and my desire for the occasional ice cream binge or red wine and cheese ensures no departure.

I’ve found a breakfast that works for me: green powder, flax seed oil, vegetarian protein powder and chlorella  – all mixed up in my Ninja blender. Tastes good and keeps me nourished for several hours. There is this nagging question of lead in the green powder and chlorella, per some official notices that come with the packaging. But I’m still walking around. Maybe I need to get tested for lead poisoning.

The other thing I’ve become addicted to are these little packets of nuts, currents, seeds and sometimes chocolate bits from Trader Joe’s. And power bars, My ideal dinner roasted chicken plus a spinach salad. Sometimes a glass of red wine. I liked two buck chuck from Trader Joe’s for awhile, now I’ve become a bit more adventurous. Plus I take lot of supplements.

I have the occasional banana, some lemon juice in the morning (I read somewhere that lemon in tea is bad for the brain, so now my favorite restaurant drinks –iced tea with lemonade — may be risky), maybe some green tea later, maybe some cheese on gluten free crackers … and that’s about it And it’s still too much.

I could look at this development as a boon to the budget. One look in the mirror tells me I’m still eating more than I should. Someone should develop the perfect nutritional product to keep us tuned up, happy, energetic and healthy.

Maybe they have. I recently saw a story about a young man developing something called, “Soylent,” which he says eliminates the need to figure out what to eat. I’ll keep this idea on the back burner

Meanwhile, the usual tips apply: eat organic when possible; lots of fruits and vegetables; and whatever else that is free range, grass fed, wild caught, etc. that you can afford, Oh, you can also grow your own, with organic garden soil and heritage seeds. Some suggest a greenhouse to ward off atmospheric pollution. Some people love gardening. Not me.

Let’s affirm: I am eating right; everything I consume turns to radiant good health, vitality and beauty.