Healing Through Food – My Journey to Clean Eating

As I write this, the smell of freshly baked pumpkin bread fills the air—made without refined flour, sugar, or seed oils. I followed a recipe from Danielle Walker, my favorite cookbook author for gluten- and dairy-free recipes. Since my husband Tom’s cancer diagnosis, I’ve been paying much closer attention to what I’m feeding my family. Reflecting back, I realize just how much the food we eat impacts our health.

In today’s post, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned about food and how it can either harm or heal. Plus, I’ll offer tips for anyone interested in using nutrition to support overall wellness and even help with specific health challenges.

Discovering the Power of Food

Tom has known for over 30 years that gluten doesn’t sit well with him. He figured this out the hard way—through an elimination diet where he ate only beef, pears, and rice (foods thought to be the least allergenic) for a few days. He then added foods back into his diet one at a time, and when he ate a slice of bread, the stomach pain was unbearable.

This was long before gluten intolerance became widely recognized, so back then, the alternatives were few. Sandwiches meant deli meat on rice cakes, and even the homemade “bread” I made was far from ideal. But, it was all we had.

As the years passed, we noticed that other foods caused problems for our kids too. Recently, Tom added dairy to the no-go list due to symptoms like itchy skin and poor sleep. It’s been a journey of learning how different foods affect each of us.

Steps We're Taking for Better Health

Over time, we’ve learned more and more about the deep connection between what we eat and how we feel. So, we’ve made some major changes to support our health and Tom’s healing journey. Here are a few guidelines we now follow:

1. Prioritizing Organic ProduceWe do our best to buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible. This helps reduce exposure to harmful pesticides that can interfere with the body’s natural healing processes. (I’ll cover more about pesticides in a future blog post, especially how they impacted my youngest son—spoiler: it wasn’t good).

2. Eliminating Seed OilsWe’ve removed inflammatory seed oils like canola, sunflower, and soybean from our diet. Instead, we use healthier fats like extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, and grass-fed butter (for those who tolerate dairy). Healthy fats are essential for reducing inflammation and promoting cell repair.

3. Reducing Refined SugarCutting back on refined sugar has been a big step for us. Excess sugar is linked to chronic inflammation, which can contribute to many health issues, including cancer. Now, we opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, and coconut sugar. I personally love using liquid stevia in my coffee!

4. Minimizing Processed FoodsWe’ve also scaled back on processed foods like cereal, crackers, and baked goods. Processed foods are often full of artificial additives, preservatives, and unhealthy oils that can negatively impact our health. Instead, we focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods that nourish our bodies from the inside out.

Progress, Not Perfection

I’ll be honest—making these changes hasn’t always been easy, and I’m definitely not perfect. But, I can confidently say that I feel better physically since adopting these guidelines, and my energy levels have improved.

As for how it’s impacting Tom’s cancer, we won’t know for sure until we follow up with his doctors later this month. Still, we’re hopeful that these choices are playing a role in supporting his healing process.

Positive Health Tips

While we're focused on healing, the steps we've taken to clean up our diet can benefit anyone looking to improve their physical well-being. Here are a few extra tips you can try:

1. Hydrate with Purpose

   Water is essential for every cell in your body to function properly. Aim for at least 8 cups a day, but consider adding lemon for extra detox benefits or a pinch of Himalayan salt for minerals.

2. Eat the Rainbow

   Make an effort to include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet. Each color offers different nutrients, which are crucial for overall health. The deeper the color, the more nutrient-packed the food tends to be.

3. Add Fermented Foods

   Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and yogurt (dairy-free options are available) are excellent for gut health. A healthy gut is key to a strong immune system and overall well-being.

4. Mind Your Portions

   Even when eating healthy, portion control is important. Listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and try to avoid eating out of boredom or stress.

What About You?

I hope some of these insights resonate with you. Improving our health through food doesn’t have to happen overnight—it’s a journey of small, meaningful steps. What changes are you making these days to improve your physical health? I’d love to hear what’s working for you!

Gratefully,

Betsy