Nutrition paths

Our bodies are so different from one another. While you might find that some foods or habits are great for your health, the same things might be the worst for someone else. That is why it is so important to experiment and not give up. Try to be patient with yourself. One or two things might fail, but I am sure you will find a way that will work for you eventually; and maybe for no one else.

My journey to balance my GI system was SUPER frustrating. Doctors were not able to provide much advice, and their only suggestion was to keep a food journal. I gave it a try (through apps and a paper journal) and it did not help at all since my system was so inflamed, all the time. It was impossible to pinpoint which exact foods gave me problems. After trying every diet and cleanse thats exists, I am happy to report back that I feel much better and my system is back to what seemed to be: normal. It took years of trial and error to reach this point.

The journey is YOURS and there might not be any shortcuts. None of this advice is in place of a licensed medical professional. But, here is a list of things I found to be life-changing that you can try in addition to the medications your doctor recommends.

Low-FODMAP diet

What is FODMAP?  "FODMAP is an acronym referring to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people. When the molecules are poorly absorbed in the small intestine of the digestive tract, these molecules then continue along their journey along the digestive tract, arriving at the large intestine, where they act as a food source to the bacteria that live there normally. The bacteria then digest/ferment these FODMAPs and can cause symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal bloating and distension, excess wind (flatulence), abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both), and other gastro-intestinal symptoms"- Sheperd Works. 

I have to admit that I felt a huge improvement since I started following the low-FODMAP diet. At first it might sound extreme and challenging (how can we live without onion and garlic?!) but, there are some great suggestions for alternatives. The immediate relief was SO worth it.  Check out this list of food that are high and low in FODMAPs.

IgG testing

Everyone’s digestive system is unique and we all react so differently to food. While it is common to test for food allergies, food sensitivity testing is less well-known. But, the discoveries can lead to huge improvements in your digestive system and general lifestyle. This test ranks food sensitivities from mild to severe and checks about a thousand different foods! 

Taking this test was my first step to feeling better. It’s a bit pricey, but it can help you learn so much about your body and individual food sensitivities.  My test revealed that I’m sensitive to about 20 random foods including: eggs, cow's milk, baker's yeast, and nutmeg. All of which can be found in so many things! Becoming more aware of these sensitivities and avoiding them helped my GI system recover faster. I did not know I was consuming so much food that was bad for me, and it was a great way for my immune system to regain its full power.

Cut dairy and gluten altogether

If you do not have enough money to do the IgG test, or the patience to follow the low-FODMAP diet, you should consider cutting out diary and gluten. These two tend to take a toll on our immune system. While you might have other sensitivities, these are pretty common and can bring immediate relief to your system. It would at least be a good starting point to figure out which foods to eliminate. There are so many good substitutes for gluten and dairy out there, and making the switch is surprisingly convenient.