How many diets have you tried? I know I've tried the Paleo, AIP (Auto Immune Protocol), SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) and of course, the Standard American Diet (SAD). I'm currently following a Low Histamine Diet and embarking on yet another one, the GAPS (Gut and Physiology Syndrome) diet.
Ultimately the diets didn't work or I'd still be eating that way. I needed to heal my gut and balance my microbiome. Eating healthy has backfired on me on more than one occasion. I gave up gluten only to learn the starches in the gluten free flours made me bloat even more. Bone broth was terrible for me, I felt even worse and I didn't know why. What was wrong with me?
I learned that glyphosate, the main ingredient in RoundUp used on GMO crops accumulates in the animals eating the GMO foods in various organs and body parts, the most concentrated place was the bones of the animals. I was researching whether glyphosate accumulates in mother's milk when she breastfeeds and studies done by the EPA indicate it was found in goat's milk. I also learned about the concentrations in the bones. When I made bone broth I was pulling out the good stuff but also cooking up a pot of toxic soup. Toxins my body could not handle and I resulted in horrible histamine reactions and hormonal swings. It wasn't pretty. I even tried buffalo bones but later learned they were fed conventional fruit produce that had been sprayed.
I've learned that meat broth is tolerated much better. Cooked a shorter length of time it doesn't have the high histamines that the bone broth does. My favorite broth is chicken broth. My digestive system seems to like it best and that is what I've learned to trust...my gut instinct.
I find on every diet there is always a few things on the list that just don't agree with me even if the diet says I should be fine eating it. Then there are foods that the not included on the diet that I've not had issues with. Everybody is different. Every microbiome is unique even identical twins don't share the same bacteria in their gut even though their genetics are carbon copies. This is why diets don't work for everybody.
Why trusting your gut is the best diet | Madeleine Karlsson | TEDxLakeForestCollege
Listen to Your Body
Our body's tell us when something is wrong, little cues to let us know we need to pay attention. Stop, pay attention to the signals your body sends you. Dis - ease is the body out of a comfortable state, it is no longer at ease.
Keep a journal. Write down what you eat, how you're feeling both physically and mentally. Note your bowel habits and track your exercise and water consumption. All of these things are important for your health and for your digestion to be optimal. Don't push yourself or set to high of an expectation, just take notes. Pay attention to yourself, you deserve to be heard.
If you listen to your body when it whispers,
you won't have to hear it scream.
— Madeleine Karlsson
Feature Photo for the blog post is by julien Tromeur on Unsplash