I have been floundering a bit recently with my nutritional approach. Now that many peripheral health issues have been resolved, I’m noticing a few things in my diet that are not working for me. One of the most obvious is the inclusion of grains. Brown rice hates me. Even gluten-free, Body Ecology Diet-approved grains like buckwheat, quinoa, and millet torment me. I’ve been soaking them BED/Nourishing Traditions style, but that hasn’t helped. I’ve properly combined them but, again, to no avail. Digestive enzymes? Ditto. Since the digestion problems persist, and I know that I’m candida-free, I’m avoiding my food allergens, I’m getting plenty of probiotics and enzymes from both food and supplements, and that my gut is in good shape, I think I am about ready to conclude that grains just aren’t for me.
This is very frustrating, to say the least. For one, grains are C.H.E.A.P., which is nothing to sneeze at with grocery prices soaring. Second, I, um, like grains. They’re yummy. Third, my husband needs them to keep his weight up (disgusting, isn’t it?), so I have to make them anyway. This is very hard for me. If it’s in the house, I’m probably going to eat it, even if I know it won’t make me feel good. Fourth, grains are politically correct, you know? People like it when you say, “Oh yes, I’m virtually vegetarian.” I do try to buy local, responsibly raised and produced animal products, but it’s still not exactly eco-chic. Fifth, while true food allergies are a good excuse for refusing bread, things start getting tricky when you say you don’t want rice because “you don’t digest it well.” Right. People think you’re making it up or are just overly demanding.
Despite these myriad objections, I am going to start experimenting again. Experimentation. That’s something I haven’t talked much about on this blog. In many ways, I feel that the last year-and-a-half of my life has been a giant series of experiments. I’ll try one thing for a while — whether it’s a particular way of eating (raw, vegan, Body Ecology, etc.), a new health practitioner, or a special kind of treatment – and pick up some useful habits and information, then I’ll transition to something else, hoping to make some more progress. I try to take with me the things that work for me and my body. Some phases have been more successful than others. I’ve made some blunders, spending too much money and time on certain approaches and practitioners, but I’ve also found some real gold-mines of health. If there’s one thing I feel convinced of by now, it’s that there is no perfect solution that fits everyone. I think that we all have to take things slowly, trying one approach after another, listening to our bodies at every step. There is no magic pill, no perfect nutritional formula, no genius doctor or naturopath or chiropractor that will suddenly transform us into radiant, healthy beings. I’m beginning to understand that a lot of patience and a lot of time are required in the pursuit of wellbeing.
I dislike this very much.
I feel impatient. I want to be perfectly well now. It’s easy for me to look at the problems I still have and feel like giving up. But if I take a moment and think about where I was a year ago, or even six months ago — heck, what about three months ago? — I realize that I have made tons of progress. I don’t have candida now, my seasonal allergies are minimal, my digestion is dramatically better, my absorption of nutrients is much-improved (as evidenced by my newly strong, long-growing nails!), my immune system is far stronger, I am feeling less hot all the time, I’m off of progesterone for the first time in six years and having better periods than ever (no PMS!), I get fewer headaches, I can think more clearly and remember things better, I have a lot more energy, I have been able to reduce my thyroid medication, and my sleep cycle is much improved, though I do run into occasional hiccups with it. There are a lot of other great strides forward, but I can’t think of them at the moment. Are things perfect? No way. But they’re better. So, so, so much better. It helps that I have a few people around me who remind me of how far I’ve come. (Thank you!)
Anyway, I’m here to say that I don’t have it all figured out. I’m on the brink of a new experiment with my diet, and I’m eager to see how goes. I feel a little apprehensive because, after all, even if my current diet isn’t perfect, there are no surprises with it. I know what to expect. Change is always a little scary and can often be draining. It requires lots of mental and emotional energy, and it’s important for me to remember that. I often forget that I need to give myself grace and time. Oh, that patience would become a habit a little faster!
Thanks for your honesty and humility.
I have to agree that everyone is different and you just have to listen to YOUR BODY. On this side of heaven, there is no
perfect health. We have to remember that! That is where
dependence on God comes into practice. Easy to say but
hard to grasp.
It sounds like you’ve really come a long way! I’m sure its been difficult but very rewarding as well. I really admire your diligence and determination on becoming a healthier person. And thanks for sharing everything you’ve learned!! And I also hope that you will soon be in my “condition”.
I am so glad to hear of the many successes you have had! I share your frustration and it was very helpful to read your views on this.
There are two good ‘no-grain’ books out their with recipes. One is Mercola’s “No-Grain Diet” the other is the Kat James book.
Have you tried hemp seed yet? I have some, but haven’t used it so I can’t recommend it yet as a substitute for rice.
I completely understand you issues with rice, quinoa and millet. Folks don’t want to hear that you cannot eat these because then they feel they can’t. I try to tell everyone, just because we can’t eat it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy it.
Also, if grains are in the house for my hubby I will eat them! It is hard to leave them alone. I did feel bad and my skin on my face burned because I had a ‘real’ hamburger bun….sigh…. it is all a journey isn’t it.
Thank you all for your encouraging comments. I felt a little vulnerable posting this, so I really appreciate them.
Stacy,
Oh, I wish for the same thing! I was doing well for a few months, but it’s becoming much more of a struggle for me again. I’m trying to appreciate the time J and I have together alone and all the opportunities it affords us for growing and dealing with our respective issues. Still, the ache doesn’t completely go away, so I’m praying that the time will be soon for us.
Marjorie,
Hm. I may have to check out the Mercola book in a couple of months. I feel like I’ve got my hands full right now, but I will definitely keep it in mind. You know, I recently stumbled across a blog that you might enjoy. The woman who writes it is gluten-free, grain-free, and low-glycemic. She uses almond flour for baking. Check it out if you’re interested: http://www.elanaspantry.com/
I haven’t yet tried the hempseed, but it’s in the plans this week. I’m going to try it as a replacement for bulgar in tabbouleh. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’m so sorry about your reaction to the hamburger bun! So sad.
I know how that goes.
Alison, I read your post and just sat here nodding knowingly. I do understand how difficult this all is and the patience required. I always think of it like peeling an onion, one layer at a time. I heard that from either Marie or Marjorie but remind myself of it often.
This is a journey, isn’t it?
I totally know that impatient feeling of wanting to be “all the way better”. I’ve been there. I agree that the same things don’t work for everybody, and we do often have to try different things to get better. Hang in there! I am curious as to what your new experiment is. Is it the maker’s diet that you mentioned earlier?
I have gone gluten free and cleaned-up my diet substantially for about a year and a half. I feel good healthwise, but brown rice (and oats) still rocks my stomach. I find the best grain for me is corn. I eat a lot of polenta. But I am happy as long as there is a few grains out there I can eat. I still eat white rice in small quantities. Maybe these grains are too rough on my not quite healed gut. Even though they bother my stomach, my stomach is so much better overall. Is there at least one grain you can still eat?
Bijou Frise,
You know, you make a great point. I’m not too sure about corn. Popcorn does bother me, but I wonder if something like polenta would. I don’t seem to have problems when I eat tortilla chips on occasion, and using fresh corn in a couple of soups and some guacamole this summer didn’t bother me either. Hmmm. Food for thought! Maybe polenta is in my future too.
All of the other grains really do cause problems for me at this point. I hope it won’t always be this way, but I’m feeling pretty stuck right now. I ordered some coconut flour and will begin experimenting with that (instead of rice flour), and I’m also going to give hemp seeds a try. I’ll post my results here. Thanks for commenting!
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