I took a break to fix my diet, to better my health, to figure out my relationship with food. I’m glad to say that I have been feeling better than usual and I think it is because of my diet. I use to ask my rheumatologist about diet and Lupus and he would say “there is no scientific proof that it will make a change in how I feel.” All the proof I need is how I feel.
Prior to changing my diet, I felt sluggish and absent minded. I also lived my life as if were Russian roulette, never knowing how I would feel when I wake up. Can’t say that everyday is not a gamble but I live with the game in my favor. It doesn’t mean I’m not sick because I have bad days but I don’t feel as defeated as I use to. For the first time I was able to take a vacation without thinking I will be sick for most of the vacation. Did I get, sick? Yes but I was able to turn it around in less time and I do believe it is because of my diet.
I don’t eat or at least try not to eat gluten and soy foods which include bread, cereal, cookies, cake and pasta. I have been able to find some great substitutes for my cravings and other things I have had to just forget about. What is the biggest challenge? Eating on the go, is next to impossible. No burgers (not even vegetarian), sandwiches or pizza for me and they were my usual go to foods. Now my go to is sushi and boy do I love sushi! My favorite is spicy tuna rolls from this one restaurant close to me. In a thousand years, I never thought I would eat raw fish but there were more bonuses than there were cons. It is affordable, convenient to eat on the road, healthy and most of all yummy; don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
So you think that I would be the healthiest eater due to my new diet. Not so much. I don’t eat as much junk food or fast food due to the limitations and it has helped me to finally lose over 10 pounds. Unfortunately I skip meals because what I’ve cooked for my family is not something I can eat. I know some of you may be looking down on me because I am not making the whole family eat what I eat but that’s not fair. I find the easiest way to adjust to this change is to experiment with Paleo recipes but that can be tricky too; I’ll explain that in post to come. Vegetables should have increased, but my love affair with them is u and down. I know I can’t be alone; please let me know of the challenges you have faced being gluten-free.
