I have a routine, a ritual. Every Tuesday and Thursday before I play tennis, I stop in my local Panera for decaf coffee, sometimes with a splash of almond milk depending on if I’m fasting or keeping my ketones high, and time with my thoughts and computer. This particular morning, I am pondering if my desire for this cup of decaf coffee is a want vs a craving.
I started my Power of Food Anti-Inflammatory Reset Program on Monday. I had been trying to do it for the past year…starting amazing on a Monday, but not being prepared and or caving to trip the local ice cream store on Saturday, thus reaching frustration. Will power is NOT one of my superpowers.
Believe me, I am all for the trip to the ice cream store with your kids. I believe in living an 80/20 (and for some of us with more challenging genetics 85/15) lifestyle. However, I had been making this a habit, along with a few others, which were slowing building my inflammatory level, which was beginning to wreak havoc on my gut. I reached a point that I did not like how my gut was feeling and it was time. Restructuring the Power of Food course was also a great inspiration for me to give it another round to “clean house” inside and give my body a break.
But back to coffee…I switched to decaf after my last Elimination Diet reset. As my inflammation was at an all time low, I was able to better discern how specific foods affected my body, my brain, and mood. –This is the magic behind a well designed and implemented Elimination and Reintroduction Program. — I realized that caffeine created anxiety and unsettledness as well as making my gut run way too fast. When our bodies are in a higher state of inflammation it is very difficult to figure out which food is the culprit. I also realized my body had developed sensitivities to gluten, corn, dairy, peanuts, and does terrible on sugar (most bodies do terrible on sugar) As frustrating as that was, I was grateful to have this information so I could help my body feel better and work the best, and reduce my risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other devastating illnesses.
As I drove in to Panera, (I was already drinking a lovely strawberry hibiscus herbal tea) I realized I really didn’t want coffee. Sure, I would like it, it was part of my ritual, routine, habit. I enjoyed it…the warmth, the smell, the flavor, the splash of almond milk I added. I would cozy up in the corner with my coffee, computer, and headphones. But this morning, I’m sitting with herbal tea and enjoying my morning just the same. I am just not missing it this morning.
One of my hardest jobs within my work of helping people overcome pain and significant health issues is convincing them how important decreasing inflammation in their cells and tissues by identifying and understanding the foods and ingredients that drive one’s inflammation. Sometimes I’ll get an immediate reaction — “I’d rather die than give up sugar” or I’ll never give up ________, or I just can’t do that. Our relationship with food is so important. Our cultures, customs, socially, and most importantly nutritionally. That’s why I’m all about 80/20, but when someone continues to struggle with symptoms, this is the one of the MOST important pieces we need to face.
The great news is…while it is initially difficult to do, the process is not forever, though I do recommend returning to it annually to hit the reset button or when you’ve gotten bit lax and symptoms are returning. I have developed a program to teach you how to do it gently and successfully, with the feeling of abundance, not scarcity.
Even better news…your brain and body get to the point it no longer craves things. It’s important to check in and ask yourself what are foods you crave or are part of rituals? Are they foods that nourish you or could be contributing to your health concerns? Do you need help in kicking these addictions? Usually the foods we crave are the ones we need to take a break from or avoid as much as possible. It is a journey in awareness.
The diseases, degeneration, chronic pain, and medications do not have to be the inevitable part of aging. When nourish our bodies and help repair our guts our cells and tissues have the opportunity to heal and function optimally, giving us the opportunity to flourish!