@avmcbellar, My shopping list has changed pretty radically over recent years too. I'd begun limiting salt in my diet a few years ago, which by itself reduced the number of many pkg'd/processed foods. That was followed by a reduction in use of sugar which was harder but I learned to eat oatmeal and other unsugared cereals with fresh/frozen fruits & unsalted nuts instead. Using olive oil & vinegar; a spritz of lemon or perhaps no salad dressings at all came next.

Perhaps the most "telling" change occurred when I realized that instead of planning meals around the frequent red meat-of-the-day, my plates had larger portions of fruits and veggies. For a girl growing up in a cattle producing state married to a guy who thought beef in any form was the only way to have a "real meal", using more chicken, fish and sea food would have the hubby teasing that we must be at poverty's door if I served a meatless meal occasionally.

I still "need" some sweets in my life because they bring comfort and smiles but recently I've found some just too sweet now for my taste. The same goes, especially in restaurants or carry outs when I'm turned off by too much salt.

It was easy to jump on the calcium Viactiv bandwagon because those little delights were like eating caramels. When vitamins and other supplement "gummies" were advertised, I gave those a try as well. Now, I'm back to reading the labels on vitamin and supplement bottles and "saving" my sweet splurges for a slice of pie, cake, scoop of ice cream or cookie or two. Never thought the day would come when I'd prefer the above to the large stash of candies on hand. Guess I ought to send those on to our friend @jakedduck1. Jake, are you up to paying postage? Advance warning there is quite a stash with lots of milk chocolate???

My dental hygienist told me yesterday that her family of four had all had Covid in November. While all lost sense of taste and smell, she alone still can't taste or smell coffee and most foods, including sweets, still taste like cardboard. Wow! Another reason for everyone to get those vaccines as soon as eligible, right?

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