*Each week, I’m taking idea to action from the podcast with a challenge. This week, I’m focusing on my conversation with my acupuncturist Erika Freed. I was reminded of how much the food I put in my body impacts my digestion*
We literally get out what we put in. When we put shit in our bodies we get shit out…or in some cases…it won’t come out. (sorry!) But how good does it feel when you feel GOOD!? So why if feeling good feels good do we put crap in our bodies? It’s beyond me, but I’m guilty as charged.
Food is medicine & is so powerful for supporting us.
If you’ve tuned into other episodes or read posts on The Everygirl, you might know that I suffer from digestive issues. I’ve really suffered my whole life in one way or another. I’m still working through an actual diagnosis, and I will update you when I find one.
Despite not having a medical diagnosis, I have done so much work in finding out what works for me.
I’m not going to go into a whole schpeel on gut health, immunity, and the microbiome but just know…it’s important s&*T for your overall health, and if you don’t know much about it, it’s definitely worth educating yourself on how your body functions because…information is power!
And information gives us the accessibility to live lives that feel good!
Learn more about the microbiome & gut health on this podcast and this article.
Anywho, I’ve been feeling like poop lately mostly because well…I can’t. TMI. I know. I’m sorry, but maybe you struggle too and will find this helpful?
Digestive woes were one of the main reasons I went to acupuncture back in the day. Day-to-day the way my pants fit is different. I may not look different on the outside but the way the feels gets me down. It’s uncomfortable and messes with my already not-so-great body image.
What I discovered through acupuncture was something that, if I was more intuitive, always knew.
I remember sitting at a breakfast table with some friends one time and there was some major carb shaming going on, and I remember saying I feel REALLY good on carbs. I’m talking sweet potatoes, good bread, oatmeal, bananas, rice, etc. I get energized and it doesn’t make me feel bloated.
Welcome to Chinese Medicine where, for many people, you’re encouraged to skip all of that “healthy” raw food. Think big kale salads, smoothie bowls, green juices, yogurts, etc. Instead of these cold foods, our digestive systems actually need more cooked, warming foods.
We need to LIGHT OUR DIGESTIVE FIRE.
This isn’t true for everyone, but whenever I hear someone experiencing bloating & constipation, I always want to urge them to eat more cooked foods and eliminate the “bad” mindset from some of these carbs.
This is what works for ME. Our bodies are unique. We have different lifestyles, different stressors, different relationships so what our bodies need to thrive is going to be different too.
Since I know what works for me, I’m making a commitment to only eating cooked foods this week OR adding warming spices like cinnamon into smoothies if I must have them.
But I’m also doing this challenge to learn new things about myself.
The Challenge: figuring out what food works for YOU
You’re in one of two camps:
- You know what works but you haven’t been doing it
- You’re still trying to figure it out
Whichever camp you fall in, it’s a perfect opportunity to take stock of what works and feels good in your body and what doesn’t.
Step 1. Shut out all the noise of what “healthy” is. If you followed everyone else’s rules you wouldn’t be able to eat. This is about YOU.
Step 2. Get out a pen & paper or a google doc/sheet (I like to use a sheet bc it’s easier to reference)
**note…personally, I do not like food journaling for dieting. I think it blocks our intuition and can great guilt and stress around eating. Food is meant to be joyful and enjoyed. But food is not joyful when it makes you feel like crap. That’s why we’re writing it down. to identify. **
Step 3. Write it all down
Write down your meal, how you feel immediately, how you feel 2 hours later.
You’ll also want to write down snacks, sleep, water, BM, etc.
EXAMPLE:
Breakfast
Meal: toast 1 w/ avocado & 1 w/ peanut butter; coffee with oat milk
Immediately: good, satisfied, ready for the day
2 hours later: still feeling satisfied, will be hungry for lunch soon.
Lunch
Meal: kale salad with egg and loads of raw veggies and seeds
Immediately: still a bit snacky and wirey
2 hours later: thinking about a snack, bloated
Snack
Carrots, crackers, hummus
Immediately: more satisfied
2 hours later: feeling ready for dinner
Dinner
Meal: arugula salad with salmon and sweet potatoes
Immediately: good, satisfied
2 hours later: bloated, wanting a snack before bed
Water: 6 glasses
Bed: 10 pm – 6:30 am
Bathroom?
OK this is an example and not real life AT ALL (although I do like some of these foods). After a few days, you will start to notice trends of what made you feel good and what didn’t. Start to make adjustments. Swap out that kale salad for soup or cooked veggies instead of raw veggies. Add protein like egg, chia or hemp seeds to your toast if you feel out of energy before lunch.
This is all about NOTICING. When we notice and take stock of what’s happening in our bodies we teach our intuition little lessons and with those lessons can start to trust ourselves even more.
**PLEASE DO NOT START A NEW RESTRICTIVE DIET WITHOUT CONSULTING A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. THIS CHALLENGE IS NOT DESIGNED TO DIAGNOSE A DIET BUT SIMPLY TAKE A MORE MINDFUL APPROACH TO WHAT WE PUT IN OUR BODIES.
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