I congratulated a friend, a physical therapist recently. “Happy National Physical Therapy Month. Any words of wisdom?” The response was perfect for my wordsmith brain. “Pay attention to your sides, Marlene,” he responded.
Sides, I thought. There are 3 sides to a coin, the front, the back, and the rolling side. Sides as in floss your teeth to clean the sides of each tooth? Sides as in the food sides that come with the main course. He answered, “Marlene, not quite. Sides as when you stretch, lie on your side, and stretch your sides, the sides of your body.”
He was correct. My sides have been ignored lately. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, are my sides looking fit and tall? The answer, go to the house of mirrors and look for yourself. A house of mirrors? I am quite afraid to look into one mirror. I always take off my glasses to look in the mirror. I look much better, not clear, but better.
Sides as in how many sides do I want to order with the main dish of whatever? Many a restaurant begs you to answer questions of which sides do you want? The list of side items to eat at any food establishment can be daunting. How do they cook the sides? Steamed, baked, sautéed, fried, coated with a coating, deep fried in what type of oil, seasoned with seasoning, raw, fresh, expiration date. Does the side contain an ingredient that will make my blood pressure go up such as salt? This type of added ingredient is unwanted. Slow down brain and get a life.
What is the size of the side? Is it the size of a side of beef? I am not quite sure the size of a side of beef, but I think it is quite large. Another question for Dr. Google. A size of a side serving of cooked vegetables is 75 grams. For those who do not speak in grams, it is ½ cup of cooked vegetables. Fruit size is the size of one fist.
My choice of sides are fruits or vegetables, steamed or raw. The form of this side should closely resemble that growing in the field. Tomatoes are a great fruit side. Tomatoes are a fruit, seeds inside. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a field growing French fries. Potato is a vegetable, quite healthy when baked and left alone. Alone as in before it is smashed and humanly manipulated, melding together with butter, salt, bacon, and chives. Sweet potato is healthier than the white potato. Eating the potato skin adds a component of fiber to your food intake.
As other friends at the dinner table know, Dr. Marlene has many questions about the food and preparation. Please, server, bring a large piece of paper for her order. Now, thanks to a physical therapy friend, I am very conscious of all my sides. Happy Physical Therapy Day and Month. Thanks for bringing to my attention the importance of my sides.
No content in this article and any article on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or healthcare provider.
Reference: American Heart Association, (2022), Fruits and Vegetables Serving Size Infographic, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/fruits-and-vegetables-serving-sizes
