Eating low inflammatory foods to help the healing process of Endometriosis

In this post I’m going to be sharing some of the dietary changes I’ve made and include some fun recipes that allow you to give in to your cravings without adding too much inflammation to your body. Let’s get into it!

Cut that out!

The main foods I cut out of my dietary routine are gluten and dairy. There are dozens of research studies conducted on the negative effects of gluten and dairy, not to mention how those effects operate with Endometriosis. I have also limited my alcohol intake, which is a common source of inflammation. Here’s a link to one of my favorite anti-inflammatory recipe books!

My experience:

I started experiencing symptoms related to Endo back in my Freshman year of high school. One of the most debilitating and frustrating of those symptoms were my gut/stomach issues. Being consistent with what I was eating and avoiding made a big difference. Immediately I followed a gluten free and dairy free diet while also limiting processed sugar intake. I noticed less inflammation with these changes, while also adding in some helpful herbal and naturopathic remedies. 

Naturopathic remedies and supplements:

I would like to first admit that I am NOT a doctor or licensed health practitioner. The supplements I have used in the past and use currently were either recommended from a naturopathic practitioner or found through my extensive research. There is no one size fits all for health; everyone has different reactions to different foods and supplements, what works for me might not work for you, etc. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works best for YOU. But figuring that out can be difficult when you don't know where to start…which is why I’m here! 

1. Glutamine Powder: This supplement was recommended to me by numerous health professionals to lower inflammation and assist in relief from stomach issues. Glutamine is a great addition to your nutrient intake regimen, and the results were noticeable for me. I put a scoop of the glutamine in a little glass with vitamin water or electrolyte mixed water. There are different brands of glutamine powder that actually have different flavors, so try what works best for you. 

2. DGL tablets: Another supplement recommended by some health professionals. These tablets aim to help strengthen the barrier to acid in the stomach. 

3. Ginger chews: Ginger has been proven to reduce symptoms relating to nausea and stomach aches. You can take ginger essential oil, ginger tablets, or even ginger chews to provide relief. I’ve taken ginger chews to settle my stomach, assist in digestion, and alleviate nausea.

4. Tea: Our bodies love warmth; warm drinks, warm meals, warm environments. It’s our natural state of being. Having a warm cup of tea everyday can be very beneficial. Some of my favorite types are Spiced Chai, Throat Coat, Raspberry Hibiscus, and Ginger and Turmeric. 

5. Peppermint oil: I always keep a little vial of peppermint oil in my bag. Peppermint tends to settle my stomach and reduce bloating after eating. Very similar to ginger, you can take peppermint in different forms, so whatever works best! 

Consistency is key:

When trying to tame your condition or health symptoms, it’s important to be as consistent as possible. The more consistent we are with our dietary choices, the easier it is to tell what flares our system and gives our body the ability to grasp onto some sort of “regular” state. Try and be cognizant of the kinds of foods you’re regularly putting into your body, and how you feel after you eat them. 

Don’t Stress

While it’s crucial to be consistent, life is about enjoying the ride. Enjoying yourself and your friends. The food you put in your body is entirely your choice at the end of the day, and the less inflammation we add to our already inflamed system, the better. There is no perfect diet, there is no perfect meal plan, we only know what causes inflammation and what tends to avoid that (typically). Everyone has different reactions and different accessibility to types of foods. 

Write it down!!

While I would love to be able to say “try this meal plan, you WILL feel better after this,” that’s just not realistic. The only way to know what feels right is to make educated guesses and familiarize yourself with the concept of trial and error. Make your own little meal plan after experimenting with different food groups. Log what you ate and how you felt after. It also is never a bad idea to reach out to your healthcare physician or a recommended naturopathic practitioner to order you a food sensitivity panel test. 

As you dance through life, choose to be kind,

To your aching body and your tired mind.

My struggles may not be yours, nor yours mine,

But I’ll always be here to RAYS YOUR VIBE. 

Ray