Yes, I called you a snowflake.
But hold on a second. I mean that in the best possible way. I’m referring to the original association. As in, you are special, one-of-a-kind.
That uniqueness extends to your body chemistry.
Now, I stumbled onto this fascinating revelation while working with a naturopathic doctor. She believes in customizing her recommendations based on several tests to identify nutrient deficiencies, toxic burdens, organ health status, and immune response to food.
Brace yourself because these tests really can add up and they are not often covered by insurance. As we evolve, my hope is that all people will be able to have access to test, not guess when it comes to food and supplement choices.
Let the Stabbing Begin!
Imagine this: a simple finger stab and a few drops of blood on a card, sealed up and sent off in the mail. That's all it took for me to embark on this journey of self-discovery.
This first test reveals food sensitivities. The specific one I took is the 96 food panel from Alletess Laboratories, found at foodallergy.com. This test rated my sensitivity to 96 different foods. And boy, oh, boy did it open my eyes.
Food sensitivities can go unnoticed in direct correlation with eating because they are delayed reactions. These reactions are not life threatening, like a food allergy could be, but they kick up the body’s natural defenses, otherwise known as inflammation.
You’ve Got to be Kidding Me
Here’s the shocking part. Before I got my results, I was chomping on eggs and swirling cow’s milk in my coffee like it was nobody’s business. Little did I know, these two foods were my body’s worst enemies.
Talk about a wake up call.
Now, food sensitivities are sneaky little devils. They can sneak up on you at any point in life, especially when stress is in the picture.
They can also come on from eating the same food over and over. Something people like me with sensitive nervous systems tend to do. They’re known as “safe foods,” but what a misnomer when your safe food is actually sending your immune system into alert!
An Internal Tug of War
Listen up, folks: When it comes to eating, there’s no one size fits all.
The body responds to what we put in it and the environment around us, bit by bit, day by day.
This test triggered something in me, a phenomenon in my mind that behavioral psychologist, B.J. Fogg, calls a motivation wave. It pushed me over the edge to make changes. Suddenly, I was on the hunt for new breakfast ideas in my repertoire. I was experimenting with what I was buying and preparing.
But here’s the kicker, I discovered I had a lot of feels for eggs and milk.
In the Family Systems approach to talk therapy, “parts work” refers to the type of thinking to understand the motivations and feelings that might be in conflict within our psyches.
My head is demanding and critical, on a ruthless, rational path toward ideal health.
My heart swells for breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and fluffy lattes dusted with cinnamon.
Another test revealed my gut was in disarray, imbalance galore! So in my mind, the bad bugs had taken over and had a relentless voice of their own. This was a voice of billions, egging me on to consume more of the foods that had bolstered their lot.
My organs chimed in, requesting the opposite: a break and some support to heal.
A Taste of Freedom
I think the most important thing I’ve learned when it comes to making food changes is found in untangling the emotions I feel for different foods as I learn whether or not they are ultimately serving my robust health.
Of course, food brings us together.
Food is sensory delight.
Breaking up with a food can feel like breaking up with a friend or lover.
Repertoire evolution requires being gentle with myself as my heart, head, and gut debate and argue.
Fortunately, with eating, it’s not all or nothing.
Here’s the beauty of it all: Each eating occasion is a fresh chance to make a robust choice.
Sometimes that’s going to be the choice that brings you the most joy.
Sometimes that’s going to be the choice that’s not your favorite flavor.
Each new week comes with 168 new hours to play with, to explore new tastes and experiences.
And you know what makes this journey even better? The support and camaraderie of friends like you, reading and considering these choices with me. So thank you, dear reader, for joining me on this quest. I look forward to savoring new flavors together.
Keep doing what you do! You teach so well and I learn so much. Thank you. Thank you very much!