Friends,
Let me just start by saying that taking care of your body is a lifelong journey. And, finding an approach to eating that works well for your body seems a bit like a never-ending process… 
Just in the seven and half years that I’ve been writing this blog I’ve been followed a variety of diets, including plant-based/vegan, paleo/slow-carb, and now I’m finding myself moving more towards a keto/low-carb approach. I believe in the concept of bio-individuality; each person’s body is unique and what works for one person may not work for another.
Speaking for myself, I originally adopted a plant-based/vegan approach back in 2006 as a way to deal with my chronic digestive discomfort and gallbladder pain. This worked really well for me for a number of years, until I found myself dealing with extreme fatigue, blood sugar crashes, and feeling hungry all the time. This lead me to adopt a paleo/slow-carb lifestyle in 2013 that focused on sustainably-raised meats, local vegetables, and included some legumes.
However, for the past year or so since having gallbladder surgery, I’ve been struggling with adrenal/hormonal issues, extreme blood sugar fluctuations, and found out that I was pre-diabetic. As someone who doesn’t have a history of diabetes in my family and who eats incredibly healthy and works out regularly, this was a complete shock and in all honesty, I was an emotional wreck.
Luckily, I began working with a wonderful naturopath who recommended a book that changed my life: Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution. (You can read my full review of the book and his protocol here.) He recommends removing all sources of sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as excluding starchy vegetables (e.g. beets, carrots, onions, parsnips, potatoes, squash, beans, etc), and all fruits (except avocado).
In May of this year, I began adopting this approach and focused on increasing my intake of healthy fats, consuming moderate amounts of protein, and decreasing my carbohydrate intake. Although I’m still figuring out the right mix for my body, I can’t believe the progress I’ve already made. I immediately noticed that I was sleeping better and not waking up in the middle of the night, my blood sugar tended to be more stable throughout the day, and I wasn’t as hungry all the time. (woohooo!!)
I wanted to share this with you because I think it’s a great reminder that what we eat is the foundation for how our bodies feel and our overall health. If you are someone who has struggled with fatigue, adrenal/hormonal issues, feeling hangry, having blood sugar crashes, battling food cravings (particularly for sweets), or you can’t seem to lose weight, this approach to eating may work really well for you.
Just like with any dietary change, this isn’t something I would recommend doing overnight and it has been something I’ve been working towards for the past couple of years and especially the past five months. If you’re looking to get started with this way of eating and are looking for recipes/resources, I would encourage you to check out my eCookbook, A Year of Cauliflower Rice.
I began writing this cookbook as I was making the transition to decrease my carbohydrate-intake so it’s a great resource if you’re just getting started with this approach to eating, or are looking for recipe inspiration to help you stick with a low-carb approach. This cookbook will help you replace your favorite high-carbohydrate foods with healthier versions so you can stay lean, energized, and enjoy eating all year long! (you can get all the details about the cookbook here)
So now I’d love to hear from you! What dietary change has impacted your body and life? Leave a comment below!
Take care,
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