Life without bacon? Not impossible

By Bob Gaydos

"You don't eat bacon!?"

The look of incredulity on the speaker's face matched the tone in his voice.

"No," I replied. "I don't."

End of conversation. At least the out-loud part.

"What, are you a commie? Un-American? A vegan!?" I said silently to myself, imagining I could read his mind.

Then, out loud again, "I don't eat red meat either."

"Yeah, my doctor told me I shouldn't either," Mr. Incredulous offered. "Not good for my heart."

I nodded knowingly.

He went back to his slice of Buffalo chicken/bacon/ranch pizza and I dove into my taco salad (with grilled chicken). By looks of the size of the guy and his relatively young age, I surmised his doctor was probably right. But not for me to say, at least under the circumstances (in public, others at the table and none of my business).

I don't go around making a big deal about what I eat and try not to comment on what others eat, or should eat. But I notice. I notice that a lot of Americans seem to have difficulty making the connection between how they eat what they eat, more than how much and their general well-being:

"Yeah, I know I shouldn't eat so much sugar, but I love cookies and candy and cake and soda --

"I'll have a bacon cheeseburger deluxe, but leave off the lettuce and tomato. No pickle, but I'll take the fries."

"Diet Coke, please."

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