I started this newsletter writing about the confusion of all the diets that are out there today and choosing the “right” one, but quickly realized this was more than a general observation. But as I wrote, I realized it was more about my experience and relationship with food. Bear with me and you will see where this is going…
My journey to wellness started about 15 years ago. (Has it really been that long??)
When I look back at who I was then, I don’t recognize myself. I vaguely remember having nagging back and hip pain when I woke up, when I walked, when I exercised. My energy levels were at an all-time low and I found myself relying on my afternoon sugary snack to keep me going. I drank 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day. My thoughts seemed foggy, and at times I had trouble focusing. I thought that this was just the aging process (in fact, I was told that by my doctors at the time) and just had to accept the way I felt. But then I started working with a holistic practitioner who helped me understand that the foods I was eating and my lifestyle were at the root of my symptoms. I stopped relying on processed foods in bottles and boxes and began cooking my own food again. I got back into the kitchen and rediscovered how fun it can be to create your own food. I slowly began to feel SO MUCH BETTER!
But it wasn’t easy!
Getting rid of the processed foods was one step of the problem. But it added another – like, what DO I eat now? That part of the journey wasn’t as well laid out! And here is where the search for a “diet” comes in.
I had to be my own detective. I started with the “Candida Diet” which eliminates acidifying foods as well as sugars. This was the first real change in my diet. I researched and found charts indicating which foods were alkalizing, which were acidifying, and avoided all foods that would encourage Candida yeast overgrowth. After eating this way for a while (and feeling much better,) I moved on to “Eating for Your Type,” which relies on your blood type to determine food choices. This way of eating was similar to what I had already been doing, so I followed that for a while. I’m an O Blood Type, a “hunter-gatherer” (along with the majority of the world,) so it seemed natural that I try the Paleo Diet. I followed this for years, BUT as I progressed, I was learning about the importance of adding in more vegetables and fruits into my diet. This is something you don’t commonly hear talked about with mainstream Paleo “followers”, although it is a big part of the Paleo philosophy. My goal became more about adding in vegetables whenever possible, and I began to add back some foods such as beans every now and then to get more fiber. I was constantly redefining what my “diet” was by testing and evaluating how I felt. But by now, it wasn’t really a “diet” but a lifestyle that I had slowly adopted.
So where am I now? What is my philosophy of eating after all these years?
I realized that my needs have changed over the years. When I started, I needed to heal. I eliminated those foods that were making it hard for my body to digest food properly (like the sugars, chemicals in processed foods, and yes, even beans and grains). Once my body felt better (and it did!) I could start exploring adding in more foods and experimenting.
I like to describe my diet now as a “Whole Food” lifestyle. I’m constantly trying (and I say trying because I’m not perfect) to add in veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats whenever possible. I do eat meat, but I look for healthier versions available like organic and pasture raised if possible. I fill at least ½ my plate with plant foods. I try to minimize starchy vegetables and load up on greens and cruciferous. I look to get a variety in my meals because I know variety is what gives me the best combination of macro and micronutrients. That includes adding a variety in color with fruits and veggies. I know color indicates the presence of life-supporting phytonutrients that help every cell in my body function properly and keeps me feeling younger. I still add in beans every now and then, especially if there is no animal protein in the dish, but I still avoid most grains because they aren’t served in their whole-grain form (for example, products made with highly refined flour) or have been highly processed so that nutrition has been removed (like white rice versus brown rice.)
And I still feel great. I wake up mornings pain-free, even as I am entering my 60s. I don’t need caffeine to get me going in the morning. I mostly snack on foods that are healthy and naturally sweet. (Remember that not perfect thing?) And I really enjoy what I eat! I feel energetic, confident, and fit. I feel good about who I am, and in some ways, feel younger than I did when I started this journey.
But, this is what works for me.
Where you are in your journey and how your body processes the foods you eat, will determine the right approach for you. It took me a long time to land where I am now, changing and adapting along the way.
So, to get back to the question, which diet to choose?
As much as we would like, there is no perfect “diet”, supplement, or magic pill we can take, only the best way to eat for our body and lifestyle. The “optimal diet” is different for everyone, depending on genetics, activity levels, personal preferences, and other factors.
We need to look closely at our food choices and decide what adjustments we are willing to make for long term change. For some, this means looking differently at the role food plays their lives. When you begin to see food as medicine you can take control and begin healing your body with the food choices you make. Yes, we still need and enjoy the curative power of conventional medicine, but food can be an ally in the healing process, not an adversary. We have the ability to choose which we will put into our bodies.
Do you agree with this philosophy? I would love to hear your opinion. If you would like some support in figuring out what foods your body thrives best on, I can be reached for a quick Discovery Call.
Looking for an easy way to explore a healthy way of eating?
The Mediterranean Diet is not a diet but a lifestyle choice. I will be hosting a one-week cooking program (we get to cook together!) in April. The group will meet via Zoom to learn about the philosophy of the Mediterranean way of eating. You will receive a cookbook, suggested menu plan, organized shopping list, and meal prep guide. Together we will prep and cook for the week via another Zoom program on Sunday, April 18, 2-4 p.m. CDT.
