Getting Started
When I first began to implement my dietary changes, it was due to my decision to become a vegetarian 20 years ago. Even though I started to eat meat again after 15 years, I have been aware of the importance of food ever since then. Organic food became much of my focus at that time. While I understood the negative effects of chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones, I didn’t quite get that sugar and processed foods (even the all natural ones) are just as bad. I understood the importance of balancing food, but I didn’t know exactly how or why.
It was out of necessity due to Candida overgrowth from prolonged use of antibiotics that I recently expanded my search for knowledge and understanding regarding how food works. I have come to realize that nutrition is a vital part of health, healing, and prevention overall. It is not limited to those of us with Lyme disease, Candida, or any other illness. It is not limited to those of us who are or have been sick. It is an important piece to the puzzle that has gone missing from our culture (even the vegetarian and health food culture) and prevents most of us from living a full, healthy, and happy life.
It wasn’t enough for me to follow a list of do’s and don’ts. Necessary as it is to avoid certain foods and to make sure you are getting the appropriate nutrients, etc…..I had the need to understand where these “rules” came from and why. I’m not one to take anyone’s word for anything….so I embarked on a journey to learn how food works.
In my research, I have found many conflicting views, ideas, protocols, and “ideal” diets. Initially, it was incredibly frustrating, but it served to push me forward into really learning the truth about food. I am still on this journey, and I will continue to update this as I learn more. However, I feel I have researched a broad spectrum of nutritional approaches and have a pretty good basic idea of what helps us return to health, and what hinders us and makes us sick. At the very least, it helps to narrow things down.
I feel it is important to mention that I am by no means dictating to anyone how or what they should eat. It is up to you to research this information for yourself and decide what is best for you and your body. I am simply sharing what information I have found along with my own experience, and what has and hasn’t worked for me. You also have the option of going to a nutritionist to discuss your diet, although I would try to find one who is knowledgeable of Lyme disease and Candida.
There are many schools of thought on the chemistry of food and food combining that could drive you insane trying to figure it all out. You don’t have to be a master of digestive chemistry. Humans survived for thousands of years without it. Scientists and Nutritionists are constantly trying to come up with one way that is the best way. There is always a new “diet” that is supposed to be “the one”.
Frankly, our bodies are just too complex for that and they constantly change. I think that is the point most schools of thought miss. While one diet may help remove excess, replace deficiencies, and ultimately return you to health; staying on that diet past that point can sometimes create new deficiencies and excesses. It is important to understand that diet and nutrition are in constant flux. Health is not static, but a fluid and delicate balance that requires flexibility, close monitoring, and regular adjustments and fine tuning.
Every person is different, and your body is in constant change. Sticking to one diet is just not practical for health over time. The best thing you can do is to pay attention to how you feel and learn to listen to what your body is telling you. If a particular food makes you feel “bad” or sick don’t eat it.
I have provided additional information on the pages linked to the right that goes into detail of the different food types and how they affect the body. Although I don’t claim to know all there is to know, it will give you a good starting point in understanding this. I encourage you to study the basics of food and nutrition for yourself, and I highly recommend the books and links to the right of each page. Keep in mind that some of them have conflicting ideas, but the basis of their viewpoints are sound. Between two extremes, you find balance and truth.
Learning to listen to your body and understand how food affects you is crucial.