Have you ever been stuck in a behavioral pattern and not even realized it? It took me 40 years, but I have finally recognized mine, taken action, and have started reaping the rewards of the changes I’ve made!
What was the pattern, you ask? My diet! From birth, I have been ingesting the wrong foods for my body. (My mom literally wrote about my digestive issues in my baby book… thanks, mom.) The problem was that I was raised to eat what was on my plate, and what was being served was fine for everyone else, so I kept on eating it. I honestly didn’t realize how much better I could feel with just a few small changes.
Now that I’ve seen the light and have started eating light, I can literally feel my body screaming “Yes please!” when I provide it with nutrients. I’m not a dietician or a doctor of any sort, but I am someone who has learned a lot and I want to share a few tips with you.
If you suffer from inflammation, it is likely being stored in your gut. The tips that I’m sharing with you here are to minimize that inflammation through the food you eat and give your body a fighting chance at healing itself.
Join me as I take you on a tour of my “Yes Please!” diet.
Gluten-Free Zone
First up, ditch the gluten. It’s easier than you think! For those (like me) with gluten sensitivity, eating gluten causes our immune systems to kick into hyperdrive. It may give you a small heart attack to consider cutting it out of your diet, but there are so many options for keeping your tummy full without the inflammation.
A few gluten-free (and delicious) things you can eat, guilt-free:
- Brown rice cakes
- Corn cakes
- Potatoes
- Gluten-free pizza bases
- Gluten-free bread (I make my own with gluten-free flour!)
- Chickpeas
- Gluten-free pasta
- Brown rice
- Oats (make sure the box says gluten-free)
It’s important to keep eating bread-like substances when you go gluten-free. Your stomach needs these types of foods to keep your energy up and to accommodate the acid being released as your food is digested. (I learned this the hard way!)
No More Sugar
Along with gluten, I would highly recommend letting go of as much sugar as you can. This is a super difficult one for me because I seriously love chocolate. But, if you stay away from sugar most of the time, a little cheat here and there will not only taste amazing but will also not do as much harm as when you eat it all the time.
Instead of reaching for a sweet or chocolate, consider trying one of these:
- A spoonful of peanut butter
- Diabetic chocolate
- Diabetic jelly
- A tiny bit of honey
- Dried fruit
- Muesli
- Nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Fruit
I find that peanut butter and bananas (eaten separately) go a long way when I’m craving chocolate.
Goodbye Dairy
The last food items I said goodbye to were dairy. Dairy, especially whole-fat, can cause inflammation in people with sensitivities, so it’s a good idea to say farewell to it, to help your body feel better.
With so many people becoming vegan, it is pretty easy to find dairy replacements in most stores, and most taste amazing. Although I’ve been a vegetarian since 1998, I have started eating more eggs since starting my “Yes Please!” diet. Strangely, my body is thanking me for the change, though this one was a little unexpected.
Some milk and cheese replacements you can try:
- Almond milk (I use this for muesli, coffee, and baking)
- Soy milk
- Coconut milk
- Rice milk
- Cashew cheese
- Pesto
- Zucchini cheese
- Tahini spread
I have always loved cheese, so I thought I would really struggle with this change. Strangely, I don’t crave it at all, and even enjoy my homemade, gluten-free pizza without any cheese at all.
Last Words
With all the great and tasty alternatives available to us at the moment, there is very little reason not to give the “Yes Please!” diet a try. Personally, even though I cheat occasionally, I’m so excited that I have finally found a way to eat and drink without hurting myself. I am losing weight and feeling better and better. The foods I make now are made mindfully and they look, smell, and taste amazing. While it may not be for everyone, this way of eating is a great start for anyone struggling with inflammation and, or gluten, sugar, and dairy intolerances.
