creating harmony within
the reasons for my food exclusions
and why one method is not for everyone
and why one method is not for everyone
in 2012, I began trying to solve health issues I was experiencing - shortness of breath, stomach and digestive issues, aches, loss of energy, and overall irritability. though I went to the doctor and tried various medications, these did not eliminate the entire spectrum of issues I faced. then, early in 2014, I was referred to a naturopath doctor (N.D.) by a medical doctor.
of the various options the N.D. presented, I chose blood tests, as my symptoms were daily. the result of one blood test showed my reactions to various foods and ingredients. some reacted very little or not at all, meaning I could continue eating them. others were high on the irritation scale, which meant I needed to avoid them or the adverse reactions they caused in my body could become worse.
my N.D. discussed each reaction with me thoroughly, including different ways I could proceed. I also was advised on supplements, since the ingredients I would be excluding included a large amount of nutritious foods. the N.D. also recommended ways to assist the healing process, reduce inflammation, and so forth - all without prescription medications or increasing reactions and irritation. thus began the avoidance of foods and ingredients listed below.
of the various options the N.D. presented, I chose blood tests, as my symptoms were daily. the result of one blood test showed my reactions to various foods and ingredients. some reacted very little or not at all, meaning I could continue eating them. others were high on the irritation scale, which meant I needed to avoid them or the adverse reactions they caused in my body could become worse.
my N.D. discussed each reaction with me thoroughly, including different ways I could proceed. I also was advised on supplements, since the ingredients I would be excluding included a large amount of nutritious foods. the N.D. also recommended ways to assist the healing process, reduce inflammation, and so forth - all without prescription medications or increasing reactions and irritation. thus began the avoidance of foods and ingredients listed below.
food and ingredients exclusion list, 2014:
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knowing I had to avoid these ingredients meant analyzing food labels, researching what a food was related to, and so forth. I was able to learn a great deal about how food is made and where it comes from. though much has changed since 2014, I am able to use this knowledge to make informed eating choices. I also have monitored the ways I react, or don't, to certain ingredients. the list created in 2014 has now evolved, as shown below.
the list in 2020:
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permitted
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limited
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excluded
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I added some new items to highlight how this process has helped me hone in on various ingredients that bother me. while I still limit or avoid certain foods because of how they make me feel, I only have to exclude corn; it makes me unable to breathe - something as simple as popcorn being made many rooms away will give me a headache.
even though I have reincorporated previously excluded ingredients, I still breathe easier, have increased energy, sleep better, and ache and hurt less overall. my body is no longer irritated, inflamed, or fighting against the foods I eat. instead, it happily absorbs the nutrients I give it. but, since I am able to eat more of the foods I once previously excluded, I have adjusted my intake of probiotics and supplements. now that probiotics are no longer beneficial to my situation, I stopped taking them. this has been a relief since they are manufactured in an inconsistent way, with each company creating a line of specialized items. consumers therefore face difficulties when trying to compare ingredients, find new probiotics when moving to a new place, and justify the costs these companies charge. the only supplements I decided to continue taking were Iron, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, as they still hold benefits for me; I have issues absorbing Iron, Vitamin C helps boost one's immune system, and Vitamin D is beneficial to those who live at my latitude.
I am not advocating my exact journey for someone else; each person's body is unique with its own medical needs. we are built differently and a food that gives one person energy can bother another. it is good to listen to our bodies to know what they need, and to see if they need more help. quality medical guidance for ailments ensures bodies get the best possible chance to heal and be healthy. improperly self-diagnosing or following trends omitting certain ingredients or foods carries the risk of depriving our bodies of essential nutrients.
trends will fade. our bodies are with us forever; treat them kindly.
hope you are well.
Chelsea
even though I have reincorporated previously excluded ingredients, I still breathe easier, have increased energy, sleep better, and ache and hurt less overall. my body is no longer irritated, inflamed, or fighting against the foods I eat. instead, it happily absorbs the nutrients I give it. but, since I am able to eat more of the foods I once previously excluded, I have adjusted my intake of probiotics and supplements. now that probiotics are no longer beneficial to my situation, I stopped taking them. this has been a relief since they are manufactured in an inconsistent way, with each company creating a line of specialized items. consumers therefore face difficulties when trying to compare ingredients, find new probiotics when moving to a new place, and justify the costs these companies charge. the only supplements I decided to continue taking were Iron, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, as they still hold benefits for me; I have issues absorbing Iron, Vitamin C helps boost one's immune system, and Vitamin D is beneficial to those who live at my latitude.
I am not advocating my exact journey for someone else; each person's body is unique with its own medical needs. we are built differently and a food that gives one person energy can bother another. it is good to listen to our bodies to know what they need, and to see if they need more help. quality medical guidance for ailments ensures bodies get the best possible chance to heal and be healthy. improperly self-diagnosing or following trends omitting certain ingredients or foods carries the risk of depriving our bodies of essential nutrients.
trends will fade. our bodies are with us forever; treat them kindly.
hope you are well.
Chelsea
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