To Be Or Not to Be... Plant Based Edition

As someone with IBS, endometriosis, and an extremely sensitive stomach, I've gone back and forth with the question of going fully plant based. A few years ago, I would have rather DIED than stop eating meat. I was a huge steak eater, thinking I needed to eat meat with every single meal, which works for some people, but certainly not everyone. After doing research, finding delicious vegan recipes, and finally TRYING to go plant based, I actually really enjoyed it. Being lactose intolerant made cutting out cheese really easy, but meat and eggs were definitely hard at first. I cut out all animal products cold turkey (pun intended) and tried substitutes such as tofu, chickpeas, and flax eggs. I wrote down how I felt after meals to see what was working and what didn't work. I highly recommend journaling after eating new foods if you are someone who struggles with stomach/GI pain.

Now, I went plant based for about a year and recently started eating more eggs and lean protein - such as chicken, turkey, and fish - and I also feel great eating like this. If I'm craving something more, I'll eat it when going out or to spice up my meal. I was hesitant about adding animal products back into my diet, but I listened to my body because I genuinely wanted to eat those eggs with my avocado toast. Our bodies know best! Something I have learned through my trial and error of all these different "diets" is that you have to listen to YOUR body. Everyone is different, everyone's bodies are different, and everyone's mentality on food is different. There is no correct way to eat, and because of this truth, you are able to be creative with your meals.

Since I do have issues with my digestive system, I have been to every doctor, naturopath, and everything in between to try to find a solution. But one thing I noticed after seeing all these health specialists is that only one doctor asked me about my diet when trying to find the cause of my pain. ONE doctor out of the tens that I saw cared about what I was feeding my body. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but looking back, the food you put into your body definitely affects how you feel on a daily basis. Often times, people want one cure to their problems, but unfortunately, that's not always how life works. Finding what foods make you feel your best, have the most energy, and just feel nourished is what you should continue doing.

I want to make something clear! I am NOT saying stop eating those "cheat meals" or fast food or fun dinners with friends. Food for the soul is also good food :) Eat the damn burrito, pizza, or ice cream... it won't kill you. Everything in moderation! I know we hear that all the time, but it's very true. Eat to feel your best, and have a little fun on the weekends.

If you're debating whether or not to try new eating habits or an eating routine, I recommend you try it out. See you how feel, journal about it, and see what it does to your mind and body. If you aren't feeling like your best self after a few weeks, then try something new! Life is too short to be miserable from the shit you put in your bod.