With so much conflicting professional advice, contradictory studies- blind or otherwise, self proclaimed experts, and the minefield of the general internet- often people with good intentions -however sometimes misleading information or at least misinterpreted. It is no wonder navigating your health and dietary choices is overwhelming in 2019. Making life choices around health is often laced with anxiety and pressure to ‘get it right’, ‘find the answer’, ‘the cure’, ‘find relief’, because the search usually coincides with a time when symptoms have become hard to live with, painful and life altering.
Through Kinesiology, I think because it is not a mainstream choice for some, you often hear from clients that this is their last resort. They have tried everything. Vulnerability is high and they are not sure who to believe. When you have reached this point you have already doubted your body, your own intuition, your own thoughts, your choices. When you have tried everything, and have not seen any big change it can be- not just disheartening but soul destroying.
So lets talk about FOOD! Food has likely been one of the biggest things I can say has given me, personally, significant results. Food is also one of my biggest challenges. I love food! This is where I sit, at the moment, with food. And I say- ‘at the moment’ because life is fluid, my body is adapting, growing, changing, maturing, knowledge is building, the world and consciousness is evolving always. I may get in trouble here for being a bit of a ‘fence sitter’, but I really don’t think life or our bodies are that simple.
Food and dietary choices are personal| What works for one may have to be slightly modified for the next person etc. I think however it is important to be honest with ourselves and own when we are justifying or excusing our choices…that can be the tough part. I am also anti ‘label’ (Lots of “”‘s going on in this article ;). I have called myself a Vegetarian/Pescatarian for many years- close to 20, for the simplicity of roughly communicating what I mostly eat…its just easier. Despite eating fish, a little dairy, the odd twice a year meat dish if my body so desires- if at all. I don’t do well on meat and I feel it. Sometimes and very often my diet could be classed as Vegan, sometimes Pescatarian, sometimes Paleo (sans meat), sometimes Keto (sans meat), sometimes Plant Based, sometimes Low Inflammatory, occasionally Sugar Free- sometimes not, sometimes Low Carb, High Fat- LCHF. What I prefer to focus on are good choices for me and my body, good food, lovingly prepared and minimised or managed consumption around my personal trigger foods, as much as I can. For me that is Carbs, Sugar, Excess fruits. More veges and less processed, more homemade. I am far from perfect and often having to daily navigate this… and my triggers come up for me often despite my VERY disciplined efforts. At the moment though I have just completed 10 weeks of no sugar and carbs after completing a detox. I feel a million bucks! The very hardest part is navigating the transition back to the adjusted lifestyle I have chosen for now. Baby steps. What I do see is that our world is moving further and further away from real food and it scares me a little how much processed food we have come to accept as normal fair.
Some of the dietary choices I have made for myself that I personally have found helpful for my condition of Endometriosis and Pain are,
~ Little to no dairy. I have experimented over the years, for a number of cycles on and off. Dairy obviously causes increased inflammation for me, excess mucous and acidity. Especially around my period, I find I retain more fluid, as with the following foods at this time.
~ Wheat, gluten and corn upset my tummy despite not testing up as
Coeliac or intolerant. It makes my tummy quite tender. And around my period this can become unbearable.
~ Sugar. Ideally no processed sugar. I even struggle a bit with too much fruit. As above, and worse around my period.
~ Plant based, vegetable and fruit diet, with low carbs, and grains has been the most helpful for reducing painful symptoms. This best supports my Liver that has worked very hard for me over the years. No not a big drinker, but I was a consumer of unhealthy fats, toxicity, sugars, carbs, imbalanced hormones in my youth. If my Liver and my Gut are happy, I have a better chance of the rest of my body falling into line. It can only do what I support it to do. I also try to really back off and eat less around my period to try give my body one less thing to have to manage at that time. of course this is harder as it is also when I have greater cravings.
Time| What I will say is that for me and my condition, it wasn’t unless I was quite strict, and dedicated that I saw results that could be recognised and with time grew to be easily noticeable. For day to day symptoms and feeling better in myself- that was almost immediate. However for the more chronic conditions, it took time! It wasn’t a 6 week diet change and in two cycles I felt a huge difference. It took months, months of changes, and other complimentary work on myself for me to see positive change. My condition became a big part of me and my journey in this lifetime to find good health. Endo is not my whole story, but it was part of the making of who I am now. Once recognised, and I knew food was supporting my body, momentum picked up and dietary changes gave me back some control. Less pain, less roller coaster symptoms. I respect this isn’t the case for everyone. And to be honest I am fully aware there are varying degrees of contributing factors involved for everyone. And remember big picture, diet is only one part. But belief in the power of food was a huge step in the right direction for me.
One change is still change| A lot of the changes my husband and I have made have been one thing at a time over the last 25 years. My very first elimination diet being back when I was 20 years old…when alternative food products where few and far between and creativity was limited. We had only just had our first sushi shop open in the local main street. It was very adventurous…let alone making it with Broccoli! Thank goodness time has changed and inspiration is everywhere.
Support| One more thing I would like to cover. When you are dealing with some addictions and changes around food. I really want to encourage partners and family to help support each other as much as possible. It is very tricky to navigate. There are sometimes genetics involved and while I would never let that control or define me, seeking support to break free from that trap can be helpful. But still it must be constantly monitored. Removing from your home, any temptations that make it more challenging is also a good step. And if family members can jump on board and make healthy changes with you then this is fantastic. Sometimes change takes a little village. Understand that working with addictions can unleash the inner child and irrational behaviour can pop up from no where. Surround yourself with as much love, understanding and forgiveness as possible. Find what makes you feel good and do that! I believe in you.
Moving forward| What your diet looks like moving forward is your own personal journey. This is your body, and your life! If this means 100% Vegan, Plant based etc, good for you. If it means, Meat twice a week, Veges, limited Dairy, and Fish, go crazy. Find what feels good in your body and change it when it doesn’t. Be honest with yourself, listen to your body. Its not about perfection and stress, so just do your best. Embrace life, living foods, movement, love and an open heart. Be compassionate with others, your food source and most of all yourself and you will find your way step by step. My only request is please don’t give up, throw your arms in the air and think food doesn’t make a difference. I promise no matter how small, it contributes to your happiness and wellness. What we feed ourselves, our body and our mind, is our medicine.
Two interesting books in my recent Book Depository indulgence – Ketotarian by Dr Will Cole He starts the book with a little gentle and respectful education from his perspective around food choices both through his experience with his own body and knowledge. Then some recipes to follow. I just really love a book that is respectful to it being one way to tackle thing and promoting personal choice.
The other is the lovely Anthony William- Medical Medium and his book Liver Rescue. I came across this gentleman and his first book a few years ago when I was studying and was drawn to his unorthodox ways. He had a lot of answers the mainstream could not provide at the time and in my heart they made sense. Despite lack of proof or evidence in a form that is recognised by medical science or skeptics for some of his claims. More and more he is being ‘seen’ and providing information that too many to count have found helpful for their conditions. At the very least read this or another book to get to know your Liver, in a language that is easy to understand and relate to. This man and his first book was long overdue in providing me with something I didn’t know I needed at the time, understanding and a gentle ‘stop pointing the finger at your failing body’. Their were answers and while I still take responsibility for my choices, there was an element that may not have been my fault. The results from people following his Celery Juice Protocol alone are pretty bloody cool! Look into these things and find what works for you. Don’t be afraid to listen to anecdotal feedback, but question everything for yourself. It has made a difference for me and continues to do so for both my husband and myself.
Ill also leave a list of great recipe books I am finding inspiration from at the moment, all adaptable. I will say that all recipe books (I am a tactile person and prefer books over the internet when budget allows), provide great ideas for all dietary choices. But remember two things…don’t kid yourself- buying a book full of cake recipes in a hope to kick sugar is a stretch, expose yourself to choices that support your health. Follow books and feeds that prompt your choices in the direction you want to go, not where you have been or what you feel you are missing out on. Our body is very sensitive to stimulus and will illicit a physiological response regardless of whether that food enters our body. Looking at food starts the digestive process and sparks a cascade of chemical reactions in your body…so be gentle and supportive of yourself.
And two, find books that are simple, appealing, healthy and a step outside your comfort zone. Get to know a recipe and adapt it to your personal choices. I still buy meat heavy cookbooks like paleo etc, as they give me ideas for fish, other proteins and combinations. Pete Evans can be great as he helps you move past dairy and encourage gut repair practices. Keto is great to help you past carbs and sugar. There is a little something in everything. Go get crazy in the kitchen
What I want to ask you all reading this is for yourself or your partner. How have your dietary choices affected your body and what things have you tried?
Questions to ask yourself around eating and your body.
- Do I find myself reaching for food all day?
- What kinds of foods am I attracted to?
- When I eat these foods, do they satisfy me?
- How does my body feel, when I eat each food, and 2 hrs later, and 6 hrs later?
- What does my belly feel like the day after?
- What does it feel like and look like to do a poo?
- How often do I poo? (I talk about poo alot- sorry not sorry ;))
- What emotional state am I in when I eat?
- Do I feel bloated? Constipated?
- Do I have a lot of gas?
- Do you find any length of fasting, intermittent or otherwise, helpful to your inflammation, endometriosis, or pelvic pain.
- Do you find any particular foods leave you with symptoms. Don’t just think about the gut too. Is your face puffy in the morning, do your lymph nodes feel tender, are sinuses flared up, do you feel you have more mucous, is your energy low, did you sleep well, are you irritable? Do you feel you are managing other conditions beside your auto immune, inflammation, endometriosis.
- Now lets step further again but still related…where do you most often feel tight muscles, or have injury in your body. Your knees? Your Hamstrings? Your Quads? Your Latissimus Dorsi? Or other parts of your body. Look at the big picture. What is your body trying to tell you. Often chronic issues have a bigger story.
- Now I want you think think about your digestion, and as a woman, all the other functions your body is taking care of in your pelvic region. If you are dealing with ANY pelvic inflammatory condition, what impact do you think that may have on your digestion, and your digestion on your condition?
Recipe Books I am finding helpful at the moment for inspiration- I have included Book Depository links. I find them a great economical, good service site.
Addicted much! LOL
Pete Evans- Lunch Box, This is a good one with a few recipes for helping you transition from carbs, with seed friendly options, Cauliflower options. We have adapted some of these recipes for what suits us. From gummies, to bread, to fish muffins, to just simple ideas on plating up some delicious combinations.
Cauliflower is King, Speaking of Cauliflower…my god this miracle food can almost do anything…its up there with the magical Avocado in my humble opinion. Maybe I should do a review and pics of each one so you can see a few things before you buy…I always find that frustrating online. I sometimes go to the library and do it that way…test drive. Anyway I digress.
Simplicious, Sarah Wilson not only has great food, combo and alternative ideas for kicking sugar, but also food prep in general encouraging a more sustainable, ethical way of eating. Love it!
Sugar Free Woman’s Weekly, or there is one if you can find it in stores that has all the recipes from two books- Good Luck. Good old woman’s weekly, brilliant well tested fail safe recipes and ideas now up to date with fab presentation following the food styling of 2018/19…we all know food is first sold visually!
Pete Evans- Eat your Greens, Super duper vege suggestions for, dariy free, up to date, gut friendly, paleo inspired.
Abundance– Tania Hubbard, Tania had a local cafe not far from where live in Aust, she was one of the first few to really support grain free cooking and offer real alternatives. Her first book Gluten Free Grain Free is also a goody and well stained with food from use in my kitchen! Abundance offers some school nut free options as the main difference.
Simply Seafood– Woman’s Weekly Just a fresh up to date seafood inspired cookbook. Always welcome in south east queensland.
Super Natural Everyday– Heidi Swanson Lovely Legume alternatives and inspiration amongst other dishes.
Still reading books on SOS (No Salt, Oil, Sugar) diet books and recipes atm, to find one that inspires. But to be honest these recipes can often be adapted from regular books, understanding herbs and spices carry even more importance for flavour here.
Oh my goodness a big part of me wishes there was as much knowledge, support and awareness around Endometriosis when it was the height of my experience 20 odd years ago. Periods of 9-10 days long, heavy, pain that made days quite difficult to get through (and certainly not without drugs), self esteem and confidence plummeting. It brings tears to my eyes listening to Parliamentary speeches recently recognising endometriosis, funding, research and awareness. The recognition of 1 in 10 women possibly not able to live to their full desired potential humbles me. 700,000 in Australia living with possible infertility, and sometimes disability. There is a long way to go but its a good start.
