Some things I cut out when I was diagnosed with Lyme, autoimmuine dis-ease, and other conditions

In my journey towards better health, I was already eating mostly organic, had been dairy and gluten free for years due to health reasons, and was slowly making the switch to some nontoxic products before cutting out a longer list of other foods, ingredients, and products.

Once I had the onset of new extreme symptoms leading up to multiple diagnosis, I made major adjustments and cut out or changed a lot more. I’m not just talking about specific diets I tried during my journey (raw vegan, cooked vegan, plant based, no grains, etc.), I am talking as a whole, regardless of my specific diet. Some became permanent lifestyle changes; once I learned and understood their impact on my health, whether I was experiencing symptoms and dis-ease or not, there was no turning back. Others were temporary (even if it was for years). Here’s why:

Synthetic scented products: Cause hormone disruption, immune suppression, neurological issues, and more. These are a no go in my home or on my body in any capacity.

Refined sugar: I had made the decision to permanently eliminate all forms of refined sugar from my diet about 9-years ago. Not only is refined sugar unhealthy and heavily processed, but it also weakens the immune system, disrupts gut health, fuels infections and fungal growth such as candida, Lyme disease, and parasites, and destabilizes blood sugar levels, among other things.

Unrefined sugar (Honey, maple, dates, coconut): This I cut out completely when undergoing certain treatment (which was years) for all and any infections, fungus, and viruses. Eventually I cautiously reintroduced it where I ate it in small amounts sporadically.

Coffee (and caffeine): I previously was a daily coffee drinker and when I learned coffee is acidic and could be disrupting my PH levels (PH level matters in dis-ease! An acidic body is a prime environment for certain dis-ease and pathogens), I cut the cord completely. Now, I drink it intuitively and not too often. Instead I opt for matcha for my morning beverage.

Eggs: This is up for debate but according to some experts eggs may feed viruses…and I had a lot of reactivated viruses at one point. Now I eat them intuitively and sporadically.

Pork (excluding bacon) and raw fish: One word. Parasites! Even now given that I know the impact parasites can have on health and after spending years doing on-and-off parasite cleanses (some which were bruuutal), where I saw things come out of my body that made me scream, I swore off those foods forever. I do think if you have a healthy body and immune system that consuming excellent quality raw fish here and there shouldn’t be a major issue (though I personally would do parasite cleanses every so often). But for now and the foreseeable future, I stay away from it.

Alcohol: It impacts the PH levels of the body, weakens the immune system, and much of it is filled with sugar (see above), not to mention the effects it has on brain and liver health (I recommend following Dr. Amen for more on this). I didn’t take a sip of alcohol for 7-years. If I have it now it’s intentional and usually a few sips only.

Toxic household cleaners, body and beauty care: Similar to fragrances the chemicals in these products do more harm than good including building up in the organs and tissues. I would never again use any of these items and even when we travel we bring our own products from dish soap to body soap.

Natural or artificial flavors: This is a loophole word in the food industry (just as “fragrance” is a loophole in the cosmetic industry). Artificial chemicals and ingredients, additives, flavor enhancers, preservatives, and more can make up a “natural flavor” and here’s the scarier part: according to the FDA, the brand does not need to disclose any of the ingredients that make up a natural flavor. Even if everything else in the product is clean and healthy, if I see these as an ingredient. I put the item back on the shelf.

I hear people complain a lot when having to cut certain foods or ingredients from their diet as recommended by a doctor or coach, and I get it, I’ve been there. Earlier on in my pre-journey journey when I was able to live a normal-ish life but was dealing with unexplained gut issues, migraines, hair loss, fatigue, insomnia, mood issues, severe anxiety (should I keep going?), I felt uneasy and miserable about cutting things out too. It felt like torture! But as soon as things got worse and bad enough that it stopped my life, I didn’t care. I would’ve done anything and cut out anything and everything if it meant I might heal or be healthier.

I think that’s why a lot of this I cut out intuitively before any doctor or practitioner advised me to. Alcohol, toxic products, raw fish, coffee….something was telling me my body wasn’t benefiting from those items. It knew.

Once we put heath first, before the annoyance, the FOMO, the victim mentality…none of it matters. Health is number one, always.