After Multiple Diets, I Finally Found a Way to Overcome the Chronic Pain of Fibromyalgia: Find Out How Print 21 LikeDislike By Megan Densmore Since I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and related hypoglycemia at age 13, my relationship with food and fitness has been complex. I have been passionate about fitness my entire life, but my body was plagued by 10 years of chronic pain. I also suffered from numerous conditions believed to be related to fibromyalgia, including digestive issues like gastritis, acid reflux and hypoglycemia! Cravings Controlled my LifeAs a result of my illnesses, most of my adolescent and college years consisted of a very self-destructive and negative relationship with food. I craved carbs, sugar, and caffeine. These things made me feel like crap, but I couldn’t stop eating them! To deal with my fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia, and cravings, however, I was put on several medically-controlled, hyper-restrictive diets. Diet Number One: A Candida DietThe first medically-controlled diet was prescribed to me when I was 21 years old. I went to see a naturopathic doctor, and she diagnosed me with candidiasis. She then put me on a candida diet, which involved eating a lot of oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and vegetables. Apples were allowed, but no other fruit was permitted. Sweet potatoes were allowed, but no other starchy vegetables. Furthermore, no sugar, grains, or dairy were allowed. It was a severely restrictive diet, and I had to eat steak often because I was always starving! Despite all this, I still didn’t feel better. Diet Number Two: I Never Felt Worse!When I was being treated by another doctor for hypoglycemia, I was prescribed another diet. This diet included high fat, high protein, low carb, and no sugar. I ended up eating a lot of packaged “low sugar” foods to try to adhere to the diet, yet I had never felt worse in my entire life! I had no energy at all. Something had to change. Diet Number Three: An Unprocessed, Gluten-Free LifeI went to see a chiropractor who thought that all of my problems were undiagnosed food allergies. He suggested only raw dairy and advised against anything processed. I was encouraged to eat lots of vegetables and protein. This is when I finally started to feel better, but I still wasn’t feeling my best.Inspired by a friend of mine, I cut out gluten for a month, just to see how I would feel. After that month, I tested myself with a brownie full of gluten. My digestion stopped for a week! Now I know that I am sensitive to gluten, so I avoid it. Finally Customizing a Diet for My BodyToday I follow a gluten-free, low lactose, low sugar diet. I really avoid white sugar, especially the overly processed versions, at all times. I enjoy less processed sugars, like agave, raw honey, molasses, maple syrup, and rapadura, as a treat. After all the years of restrictions I don’t like to live with many restrictions now. I try to eat as few processed foods as possible, do not eat gluten, and watch my dairy and sugar–that’s it! Also, when it comes to vegetables, the sky is the limit.I’ve also learned how to manage my blood sugar, which is crucial for hypoglycemics! Almond butter and snack bars are my secret weapons. I always keep one snack-size bar and one meal-sized bar in my bag. I also don’t drink coffee because it is an appetite suppressant. I need to hear my hunger, otherwise my blood sugar will drop. The real key, however, is never going too long without eating. So now, as long as I avoid gluten and I am smart about what and how often I eat, I can eat anything and everything else in moderation. I am slowly learning to love food again and have even learned how to love cooking! Take a look at some of my favorite recipes below:Breakfast SmoothieBanana PancakesSweet and Spicy Chicken ChiliNote: PLEASE consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Nature’s Sweet Secret: 6 Health Benefits of Monk FruitMonk fruit is a healthy, sugar free sweetener with lots of good for you healthy benefits! These small green melons from southeast Asia have been used for centuries for their health benefits, and are now being used in this country as a healthy sugar f...
6 Mistakes To Avoid When Going Gluten-Free, Says Functional Medicine Expert Dr. Will ColeEmbracing a gluten-free diet can certainly provide health benefits. Functional medicine expert Dr. Will Cole often recommends that his patients with autoimmune disorders or other inflammatory conditions give it a try. However, if you’re making one ...
9 Health Benefits of Cardamom That You Need To Know[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You’ve probably heard of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and black pepper, but have you ever encountered cardamom? Cardamom is a natural spice that you should take some hefty notes on. Why? Because cardamom has pl...
Fish Collagen: How it Improves Your HealthFish collagen, also known as marine collagen, is essentially the superhero of collagens sourced from animals. So what exactly makes fish collagen, a Type I collagen, such a natural gem? To put it simply, it beats other collagens in both bioavailabili...
7 Simple Food Swaps To Cut Out Sugar and Junk From Your DietDid you know that the average American consumes 130 pounds of sugar per year?! You can probably guess some obvious sources… but you may be surprised to learn that a lot of seemingly “healthy” options are packed with sugar too. You might even be...
Nutritionist Elissa Goodman’s Tips For How To Eat Out AND Stick With a Sugar Free DietEating out can be tricky if you are on the Further Food 10 Day Sugar Detox Plan or just trying to eat healthy and sugar free. However, it is possible! Here, Certified Holistic Nutritionist Elissa Goodman gives her tips on how to eat out on a sugar fr...