Alright. I'll jump in. I can't resist the subject. Food. Such a weakness for me. Hi, there. (And, hello, to everyone else!) I am new to this forum, but a huge proponent of food. I am a homesteader, in that I grow/raise enough fruits and vegetables and eggs for my family's (and a couple of close friends' ) consumption. I have a five-year goal to raise our meat, too.
I call myself a one-rat study. Until eighteen months ago, I would have told you I eat great; have an awesome diet. But, then 18 months ago, while reading a very intensive gardening book, the author described some digestive symptoms that really was dead-on for my own. Made me curious. The next day, I did not put milk in my coffee (I loved milk in my coffee, and dairy in all forms). The *symptomatic* difference on day one was noticeable. Very.
I could go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about those symptomatic differences. They are surprising. And, yes, I agree that there has been a substantial decrease in all things associated with inflammation. Substantial. If I thought my audience would ever be worth the effort, I could write an interesting blog...because I didn't follow anyone's diet. I listened to my very own body. Observation is key.
From that first day of no more milk/dairy, I started a mission to feed myself *correctly*...correctly being based on my body's response to food. In much regard, I treated myself like a child experiencing solid foods for the first time. Took *everything* out and then put things back in. Guess where I ended up?
I eat tons of vegetables (and no vegetable is off limits, except for those to which I've decided I am intolerant), anywhere from 2-6 eggs a day, fruit galore, seeds, nuts and meat. I don't consume any form of lactose or gluten and very, very limited grains (rice, ancient grains). (It should be noted that, of course, my diet is non-GMO and organic.) There are very few processed food items in our cupboards (I am now experimenting with getting rid of added sugars from my diet but I just can't seem to kick the habit). I am 46 years old, healthy by all measures (BMI, fat percentage (granted, a bit borderline), cholesterol, blood pressure), on absolutely no medicines (70% of Americans are). When I tell acquaintances of my experience, I'm labeled following Paleo but I'm not. I am following a one-rat study diet. The one that works for my individual body.
I recommend: don't follow a diet. Listen to your body. Listen closely. Food alone can make you very well. Food alone. Very well indeed.
So, I'll get off my soapbox about food for now. I get a bit wordy about it. I find it just a wee bit important. Eventually I'll get around to sharing some images. HOPE something in here makes you a bit curious about your food.
