I have struggled with digestive issues for years, even diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Ulcerative Colitis. In common terms, there are ulcers that line my colon, and my digestive organs are often inflamed, causing discomfort, cramping, and to be frank... an obnoxious amount of trips to the restroom.
Within the past few years I have had 4 colonoscopies, 1 video endoscopy (I got to swallow a $1,000 pill with a video camera inside of it, and wear a pill tracking device to work.. needless to say, the camera pill was not returned) I have been pricked, countless times, and tried at least 5 different medications to get my symptoms and disease under control.
I have also tried a few different diets, eliminating foods that I would consider to "trigger" my symptoms, such as products containing gluten, dairy, tomato based products, popcorn, orange juice, the list goes on.. I would eliminate these from my diet, but after a few days, weeks, sometimes even months, like an addict, I would go right back to it, or I would think, eating this one bagel wont kill me, or eating these 3 bites of ice cream wont effect me at all.. and for some it may, for me, it wont. But what is the point of going without it for a month, just to consume 3 bites of ice cream once a week? Then... 3 bites every night, then... whoops, I ate the whole pint in one night! And that my friend is what will do it!
But today... I am starting a new "diet". A bulletproof one. The bulletproof diet was introduced to me by friend who has experienced some of the same symptoms as an IBD, Crohns or Colits patient has, but was never diagnosed. It consists of a road map that guides you to avoid sugars, get most of your calories from healthy fats, eliminate grains (with the exception of white rice) and grain-derived oils and gluten, switch to grass-fed meats and butter, eat organic fruits and vegetables (limiting fruit to 1–2 servings per day) and cook food gently, if at all. Shoot for 50–60% of your daily calories from healthy fats, 20% from protein, and the rest from vegetables.
Many people think that diets can be scary, or harsh.. and I use the word diet loosely, as I am not trying to lose any weight, or doing some crazy cleanse, I am simply just bettering my eating habits, and ultimately my life. And here is how I will do it....
1. Today, I eliminated all of the gluten and dairy containing products that would tempt me into eating them. However, I did leave a few essentials for Dustin, such as the existing loaf of bread for him to make sandwiches, etc.
2. I planned out a list of meals for this week that are mostly within the guidelines of the bulletproof roadmap. -- I think the key is, when trying to change your overall eating and lifestyle habbits, is that you change it at your pace, If you cant give something up cold turkey, then do it within a week. Cut down your portion sizes of that one particular item that you thought you "couldn't dream of not having" each and every day, until you are doing exactly that, living with out it! For me, this is 2% Milk. I was raised to drink milk with my dinner, every night at home, and I have continued to do so my entire life, I will begin reducing this item at each meal, until I no longer feel the need or desire to continue to drink it.
3. I went to the store to replace those items I tossed out with organic fruits and vegetables, and grass-fed meats, fresh caught salmon, and organic eggs, that were purchased for a local farmer, right here in IL.
4. Tomorrow, I will make our first bulletproof meal!!
5. Next weekend, when it is time to make my list again, I will reflect on the week, what went well, what not so well, what effected me, what didn't effect me, did I have more energy but cutting these simple ingredients? etc. And I will begin tweaking, where need be, and make another list for the following week.
Again, not all diets are for everyone, and not all methods of dieting are either! The best thing to do is to listen to your body and explore new, and different things, because after all, if what you are doing now isn't working, then why are you continuing to do it? “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” (A. Einstein).
If you are interested in learning more about the bulletproof program, here is the link.
**I am in no way affiliated with bulletproof, and this is not a sales pitch for anyone to go try it. However, if you are interested in advise and help on making changes to your own diet, and/or lifestyle I would be glad to assist you!**
