It’s 10 AM, and I Have Spaghetti Squash in the Oven.

Pre-lyme, this never would have happened. Post-lyme, it’s the norm.

Chronic Lyme Disease affects people in many different ways. In my case, it shredded my digestive tract. 

My life’s mission for the last 5 years has been to heal my digestive tract. I have literally tried everything: pharmaceuticals, supplements, various diets, powders, potions, massage, meditation, colonics (don’t recommend), doctors all over the country. 

Of all these, diet therapy is critical. However, as you might guess, eating with shredded intestines is not a lot of fun. Imagine then, the irony that diet therapy is a crucial part of my recovery plan. That’s right, my digestive tract is in shreds, and I am healing it by eating.

Through much trial and error, I have learned my fragile intestines do best when I eat fresh, organic. “clean” food made in my own kitchen. Which means my kitchen in always crankin’. I make nearly 100% of what I eat from scratch, and that takes a lot of planning. Sometimes (like today), I need to prepare elements of the meal earlier in the day if I won’t have time in the afternoon. 

After trying numerous diets, I landed on the Paleo Diet, as it’s easiest for me to digest. Happily, it’s also the diet recommended by my doctor for combating Chronic Lyme Disease.  A win-win for me and my poor digestive tract.

A quickie on the Paleo Diet.

IN:

Vegetables, well sourced animal protein (grass fed beef, wild fish, free range poultry), nuts, seeds, healthy fats, some fruit.

OUT:

Gluten, dairy, sugar, processed foods, artificial ingredients, legumes, grains.

Once I got over the shock of what I would not be eating, I started to focus on what I would be eating, and it started to feel manageable. In many ways, the paleo diet is a blessing in my life. It’s fairly easy to follow, it’s family friendly (my family eats paleo dinner every night, and I’m not sure they really know), and it’s relatively easy to maintain when eating out – most restaurants have animal protein and vegetables.

Yes, I’ve given up a lot of foods. But I don’t feel deprived. In fact, I feel grateful. This diet is helping me heal, and the the possibility of regaining my ability to digest normally is much more important to me than anything I’m not putting in my mouth.