Anti-Inflammatory Diet – My Story
It wouldn’t be much of an exaggeration to say that an anti-inflammatory diet saved my life. Maybe not literally – although you could certainly make a case for that. But in terms of my health, my happiness, and even my social life, changing my diet and incorporating recipes like ones you’ll find in this book has changed everything for me. If you’re here because you are suffering with symptoms of chronic disease, then I hope my story will give you hope that healing is possible for you too.
Chronic illness can be a lonely and isolating experience. I know this well, as I have lived with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) for the past twelve years. UC is a disease characterised by inflammation and the formation of ulcers on the large intestine, and I was diagnosed in 2010 after suffering from episodes of debilitating stomach pain that was so severe, I couldn’t eat for days at a time. I also suffered from anaemia due to extreme blood loss, and my trips to the bathroom were so frequent that I found it difficult to leave my house. Working was challenging and having a social life was out of the question. I went on an endless string of medical appointments while I struggled to find and connect with others who understood what I was going through. The worst part was the fact that there was no known cure for my condition. I tried various medications to manage it, and sometimes they provided some relief, but I was never able to break free of the endless cycle of painful flare-ups, many of which lasted four or five months at a time.
I hit rock bottom in 2012, after my body became so weak that I needed to be hospitalized. I knew that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life that way and became determined to find a way to heal myself. I’ve always believed that it’s important to experiment with different foods to find the ones that allow our bodies to feel and perform their best, but this was the first time I considered that my diet might be my path to healing. Then began the most important experiment of my life.
I wish I could tell you that the process was quick and easy. The truth is – it took years of research and experimentation, but I was determined to find a way to improve my health. Since I knew that Ulcerative Colitis was a disease of inflammation, I studied all the research and literature I could find on foods that had been shown to contribute to inflammation and those that had been shown to reduce it. As I gradually started introducing new foods and eliminating old ones, I began to gather data about what made me feel better and what didn’t, and I started to notice patterns.
I found that heavy, dense foods upset my stomach and gluten tended to worsen my bloating, so I began eliminating them from my diet. I found that lighter, more nutrient dense foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish made me feel healthy and energised so I began eating more of them. The changes didn’t happen overnight, but it was clear that my health was improving, and this provided the incentive I needed to keep going. My flare-ups became shorter and less frequent, my pain became less severe, and my overall quality of life improved so much.
Now, I realise that we are all unique individuals with unique bodies, and that there is no one-size fits-all approach to nutrition. This would also be a good time to mention that I am not a medical professional and the information in this book is not meant to be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment. You should always check with your doctor before starting a new diet and above all, pay attention to how your body responds to different foods and make changes accordingly.
With that said, I have had such incredible success with an anti-inflammatory way of eating, and I know of others with illnesses and medical conditions who have had success with changing their diets in similar ways. It has truly been life-changing for me, and I knew that if there was even the slightest chance that sharing my story and my recipes might help someone else manage Ulcerative Colitis or other chronic health conditions, I had to do it.
This book is one that that I wish I had when I started my journey toward healing. It contains twenty of my favorite anti-inflammatory diet recipes that are easy, heathy, and most of all – delicious. They are generally free of gluten, low in processed sugar, and filled with nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich, and anti-inflammatory foods. They contain simple, fresh ingredients, most of which can be found at a regular grocery store or market, and they don’t require any complicated techniques or fancy kitchen equipment. And though I created this book to help people suffering from diseases and physical ailments like mine, I know that the benefits of healthy eating extend far beyond managing illness. For that reason, I hope that these recipes will be used and enjoyed by anyone who is interested in health, fitness, and dieting, or anyone who looking for an easy way to incorporate more healthy home-cooked meals into their diet.
My last UC flare up occurred in 2016, six years after I was initially diagnosed and four years after I started my experiment with an anti-inflammatory diet. Since then, my health – and my life – has only continued to improve. Besides experiencing a near total remission of my gastrointestinal symptoms, my mental clarity and focus has improved, I’ve gained energy, and I’ve lost weight. Life without UC flare-ups is amazing and I’m optimistic about what the future holds.
No matter what your current health or life situation looks like, it’s always a good decision to care for your body in the best way that you can, and that includes providing it with plenty of clean, fresh, healthy food every day. I’m so glad that you picked up this book, and I hope that the recipes contained within it will help you become the best and healthiest version of yourself.
Wishing you a happy and healthy future!
Beverley