Diet Changes: The Role Certain Foods Have On My Survival

Most people hear the word "diet" and run for the hills. Society always hears about the latest diet trends which people try and generally it works for them. The reason why most diet trends work for people is because they are disciplined (you cut out processed foods, refined sugar products, and basically you're not eating garbage foods that your body may be used to). I think people tend to forget the human body works like a machine (ie: a car) from your nervous system to your digestive system and all the other major organ systems that allow you to function every single day. (the anatomy/science nerd in me is getting excited lol.)

Food is your fuel (ie: it's like your car when it needs gas to function). I know you're thinking "So how do I know which diet works for me?" The truth is everybody's body is different and it is up to you to figure out what foods work for your body as proper fuel. In today's blog I discuss how changing my diet was truly a deciding factor in how I function every day from energy levels to preventing Lupus flare ups.

When I got diagnosed with Lupus I began to research a ton of information on it, and a topic that popped up frequently was anti-inflammatory foods to help prevent a lupus flare up. What I did was wrote a list of all the foods I could and could not have according to various websites I researched (the food list is too long to post haha). In my diet I began to eliminate certain foods, drank ph balanced water, bought organic, free range, wild caught, etc. foods. I disciplined myself again. (it was like diet bootcamp lol, but I've tried numerous diets before so it was easy for me to get back on it). However, a few months into this new lifestyle change this diet started to take a toll on me mentally because I would want to enjoy foods from my ethnicity like Filipino food and Italian food, but guess what those foods generally contain a lot of garlic and high amounts of salt. I found out very quickly that garlic, onions, and salt play a factor in my lupus flare ups as well as other foods and spices (the list is long as mentioned before lol). I changed my mentality real quick and told myself food helps me function and if I don't want to feel terrible then I have to stay disciplined with what I eat.

I began cooking at home a lot more (which saved me money) and with time eventually I learned how to create classic dishes I enjoy that catered to my anti-inflammatory diet. Some days it's difficult to not want to grab a cookie or eat a peanut butter cup. Trust me were all human and crave certain foods, so I do treat myself every once in a while, but then I get back on that discipline train cause I have to function.

I hope this blog has taught you that with trial and error you'll find what type of diet and foods work for you. Food is constantly evolving with technology evolving, so our diets will continuously change. It all comes down to remembering food can be your medicine, and it depends on you to make the best food choices for your health.

P.S. Thanks for reading! If you have any health related topics you would like me to discuss let me know on my social media platforms! Have a lovely day!

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