A lot of people seem to be confused about the Facebook post I wrote about going on a diet; they keep asking me why I’m going on a diet, or what my diet is. I wanted to write this post to clarify what I mean by “diet” and what the purpose is.
I also want to clarify that it is not my intent when I post food things to get attention. I realize if you guys are thinking that in the first place, me simply stating that it’s not true isn’t going to change your mind from thinking that about me. So, oh well.
(But actually that’s a really terrible viewpoint. People with food allergies/intolerances and/or intestinal/digestive problems cannot help it and go through a LOT with each meal they eat. I don’t know. It’s kind of a big deal, and it’s a really frustrating/overwhelming issue to deal with. Just, be considerate. Thanks.)
Many of my friends already know that I can’t have a bunch of oils (as it stands: canola, cottonseed, safflower, sunflower and palm/palm kernel), and that I have to avoid random foods too. It took me a long time to pinpoint which foods were causing me problems, and through a lot of trial and error I managed to get my symptoms (which range from constant nausea to debilitating, stabbing pain) to be less frequent and less intense, but all in all still around.
After researching for myself and also talking to a specialist, we concluded that my intestines were, for lack of a better term, messed up. Without going into all the details, it’s harder for me to digest things because for most of my life I was eating these foods that messed them up.
(sidenote: fun fact, roughly 70% of your immune system is located in your gut.
a sidenote on this sidenote: your mental health is related to your digestive health, so things like depression, anxiety, fatigue and irritability could actually be related to your food intake.)
SO HERE ARE THE ACTUAL ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING ME:
I. Joy, why are you going on a diet?
Well, friend, it’s not the sort of diet you go on to lose weight. This is how the internet defines the word “diet”:
“a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons.”
I am not doing this to lose weight, as I felt I explained in my status, but apparently wasn’t clear enough about. I am going on this “diet” for the purpose of getting healthier.
II. Joy, what do you eat on this diet?
I am so glad you asked, friend! Most of you probably know that my preferred diet includes little to no meats. However, this new annoying, sadness diet is mostly meat. I will eventually be doing the GAPS diet, which is full of sadness (although, slightly less sadness than the intro diet; click here for a list of allowed/not allowed foods on the full GAPS diet), but will hopefully make me 100% Joy instead of 68-75% Joy. For the first few weeks, I will be doing the Intro diet, which is primarily meat and homemade yogurt. I can’t have any sugar or fruits or happy things. I’m going to miss cheese. Like, a lot.
Also, potatoes. I will miss potatoes.
And Kit Kats.
III. Joy, how long will you be on this diet?
I’ll only be on the Intro diet for about two weeks. The GAPS diet is going to last a lot longer though. I know I’m planning on being on it at least through the end of the year, possibly continuing through to next year. I’m really going to miss iced coffees from Dunkin, and Outback quesadillas and SUGAR.
I mentioned in my status that it would be great if you guys could be sensitive and not ask me to come to food-oriented events, but if you want to try out a GAPS approved recipe with me, I have some of those stored away for when I’m getting off the Intro diet! Feel free to share in the sadness; misery loves company.
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