Throughout my childhood, my diet was very strictly monitored and managed by my ultra-vigilant mother who succeeded in cooking the most delicious meals for us without a trace of oil or fat. Back in the early 80’s food labeling was unsophisticated and poorly regulated, which resulted in endless hours spent in supermarket aisles trying to figure out the true fat content of products that were often placed back on the shelf out of fear of being incompatible with our diets.

At age 15 I was diagnosed with familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency. I didn’t think much of it, I ignored my recommended low fat diet. Unfortunately, the consequence for my ignorance was not unnoticed. I have serious abdominal pains frequently, and I get very sick when I eat things with a high fat content.