Dietary restrictions during holidays

It has been a very long time since I managed to post something on the actual blog itself. But here I am again, enduring another holiday season amidst what seems to be loads of people over indulging, obsessing over occasions where everyone must bring very specific dishes. I am happy to say that after many years of having restrictions, the holidays no longer stop me in my tracks or cause horrible feelings of missing out. However, they still can be a struggle. And I do still wish people would stop making excuses for their poor eating habits due to a holiday.

This year is year two of my own version of AIP (Autoimmune Protocol). And it really does stink to be bombarded by so many appetizing options, and so much indulgence when I am working hard to figure out what my next meal will be based on my current AIP as well as managing adrenal fatigue. I eat to live. It’s my survival and my nourishment. And I am OK with that. But some days it does get on my last nerve to hear people around me complaining of the health woes they suffer from while they justify binging on whatever the holiday related food or foods of the day might simply because, you know, it’s a holiday. That falls in the same category of people who have Celiac Disease but intentionally have “cheat” days such as their birthday. I don’t get it. I want to be well SO bad. I want to get better. And I am trying so hard to do everything in my power to make that happen. So it is sometimes hard (especially during an autoimmune flare, or PMS, or a bad day at work) to watch others knowingly sabotaging their own health. I only seem to be the most bothered by this type of thing around PMS, so at least I can take solace in knowing this rage will pass. Like everything, it is indeed only temporary.

So please, tell me your stories of holiday food challenges. How did you handle your Thanksgiving this year? Did you find decent substitutions so that you weren’t forced to derail all of your hard work?  Did any of your family members or dining companions possibly LEARN something by having you at the table this year? I know that is one thing I personally continue to bring to the table. Education on how much what we eat does indeed impact our total wellness – mental and physical. Even if those around you may appear to be uninterested, annoyed, embarrassed (I seem to cause this often when someone has to eat in my presence – How DARE I eat this way?), or just inconvenienced…..please remember that you are slowly chipping away at the stigma, ignorance, and misinformation out there simply by being YOU.  So keep it up. Whatever challenges you are facing. Keep fighting the fight. Keep advocating for yourself. And stick to your guns with your wellness plan. It’s YOUR body and intestines that will be suffering if you make allowances to please other people.