Anyone who has ever done any research on natural treatments for endometriosis has come across this.
It basically involves giving up dairy and gluten, along with a few other staples in the average Americans diet.
In reality, most of it is common sense. A fresh, whole foods diet is what's best for all of us. If we could all convince ourselves to subsist on organic chicken and fresh produce – we would be a fit and fab nation for sure.
Yes, there is science behind it. And most of the items on the do-not-eat list are restricted specifically because they promote inflammation. Which isn’t good for anyone with endometriosis.
But at its core – it’s healthy guidelines for anyone to follow.
I have friends who swear by it. Not only people I’ve met online, but also one of my recently pregnant IVF warriors, and my roommate.
Yes, my roommate has endometriosis. No, that was not a part of the interview process when I started looking for roommates. I swear, we found this shared connection out completely organically, when we both had visits from Jack at the same time the first month in. She has since taken on a lot of the natural treatments I’ve been utilizing, and has astutely stuck to a gluten and dairy free diet with far more commitment than I can typically muster.
Here is my problem with the diet: I struggle to get behind anything that is so completely restrictive of natural food sources. Giving up processed foods is something I can absolutely support (although, I would be lying if I said I don’t have a Taco Bell relapse every few months – even knowing how nasty it is). But when it comes to cutting out entire food groups, I just have a hard time thinking it’s for the best unless someone has a verifiable allergy or sensitivity. Which I have never thought I had.
I personally have never seen any difference in my pain levels when I am giving these things up entirely. I have gone an entire 6 weeks before without letting a single “bad” item cross my lips, and without seeing any improvement at all in my pain levels. In fact, when I was away on my vacation a few months ago, I ate worse than I have in a year. Ten straight days of eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. And you had better believe that the majority of what I wanted contained either gluten, or dairy, or both. Not to mention sugar, and booze, and processed crap, and all the other lovely items I tend to avoid on a day to day basis. And when jack paid a visit just a week after my return home, it was actually the easiest visit I had experienced in 4-5 months. Interestingly enough – I started both my visits with the healer, and those two new tinctures I mentioned the other day just a few days before that vacation began. But the diet – it seemed as though giving it up completely had no effect at all on my pain levels.
I have attempted this diet multiple times in the last 2 years, before finally coming to my current food compromise. I keep most of the “bad” items out of my house unless I am really having a craving (and then, I try to go as organic on the dairy as I can, and as whole grain on the gluten as I am able to find), but when I go out to eat with friends or at others houses – I don’t restrict myself. Nor do I expect (or ask) others to make accommodations for me.
This has worked simply because I have a fairly easy time eating “right” on my own, but when I’m socializing with others – I get so much enjoyment out of eating. Out of tasting and talking about the various flavors. Yes – I may be a bit of a foodie (a foodie who still likes Taco Bell – What of it?) I refuse to take that away from myself for something I’ve never actually seen a difference with.
But then there is this voice in the back of my head, telling me that I should be doing it solely because I know other people it has worked for. And also because, every time I have another endo girl ask me if I’m adhering to the diet, I always feel like I have to sheepishly tell them that I’m not sticking to it exactly. And then I feel like they’re judging me. Or thinking I’m not doing enough to be healthy.
Even though I totally am!
OK, so really – I don’t care what other people think of me. Or, I shouldn’t. But… I can’t help that little bit of guilt that creeps in when I have to admit that as much of an advocate for natural treatments for endometriosis as I am, I do not adhere completely to the endo diet.
Which brings me to my point.
Last week when I saw Dr. Naturopath, she ordered a butt-load of blood work to look into that pesky exhaustion problem I’ve been having. She actually said that she was a little concerned because my eyes looked like I may be anemic, but I would be shocked if that was the case. I was a vegetarian for 13 years and never had a problem with anemia. If I find out that I’m now anemic, when I eat healthier and more well rounded meals than I have ever eaten in my life – I’m pitching a fit and downing the largest block of Tillamook I can find in one sitting.
Just saying.
But while she was already doing all that blood work anyway, I asked her if she wouldn’t mind also doing an allergy panel.
I want to know, once and for all, if I have an actual sensitivity to dairy or gluten.
I don’t think I do. Which makes it that much more difficult for me to adhere to the diet. And if I find out I’m right – hopefully I can let go of that voice in my head that tries to make me feel guilty every time I reach for a slice of whole grain bread now.
I want to be able to have a well rounded diet where all of the food groups are represented without feeling like I may be doing something that could exasperate the endometriosis.
And if I know for a fact that I do not have sensitivity – I think I will be able to do that without the guilt that currently accompanies my splurges on parmesan and Gouda.
Of course, if it comes back that I am sensitive – I may just be screwed.
But at least then I think it will be easier for me to stick the diet.
Following the protocol knowing that there is physical proof that it’s what’s best for my body.
Rather than just something I’m doing because everyone else is.
Once and for all, I am going to find out Friday.
And from that point forward, the absence or addition of gluten and dairy in my diet will no longer be such a looming question.
I’ll know.
And once and for all – I’ll be able to determine the future of gluten and dairy in my life.
I really do think it’s all going to come back fine. I truly don’t believe I have any food sensitivities or allergies at all.
But Friday, I’ll know once in for all.
And in the meantime – I better hit up Taco Bell one more time.
Just to be safe.
Just in case, I find out Friday that I really do need to give up my one guilty pleasure.
Once and for all.
