Individualized Diets are the New "Diets"

My journey of testing endless recommended diets and finally finding relief from an elimination diet and listening to my own body.

I was told to avoid cauliflower and many other of my good foods as part of a Low FODMOP diet (find this cauliflower in my recipes!)

I was told to avoid cauliflower and many other of my good foods as part of a Low FODMOP diet (find this cauliflower in my recipes!)

The Struggle.

Diet. I hate that word. It has such a negative connotation for many to mean a restrictive meal plan of misery. In reality, diet just describes how and what we eat and can be such a positive and empowering part of life when the right diet is discovered. 

I was never able to find a certain diet that made me feel best. I have spent most of my life suffering from IBS, asthma, eczema and allergies, all which can be improved and managed (to some extent) with diet. However, after trying out several different recommended diets, nothing seemed to help. 

At first I avoided dairy because that was the obvious trigger, but there was something still bothering me. My doctors recommended following a Low FODMOP diet, saying that was the only way to guarantee managing my IBS through diet. I could not find complete relief from that either. I have spent spells being plant based, gluten free and many other recommended diets, but none have been completely right for me.

New Hope.

Finally, I was recommended to do a blood test that would enable me to find out which foods agreed with me and which didn't. I was skeptical because it sounded too easy and good to be true. I was right. While the test does exist, it required commitment to a lengthy elimination diet to test which foods truly react best with your system. 

The test is called the MRT Food Sensitivity Test, which is given in conjunction with the LEAP ImmunoCalm Dietary Management Plan. Essentially, you find out which foods have are reactive, moderately reactive or non-reactive with your blood. The non-reactive foods are the ones you should stick to eating to feel your best. The moderately reactive foods should be avoided, especially in combination, which can exacerbate their negative health effects. The reactive foods should be strictly avoided.

The Journey.

When I got my results, some were obvious, while others took me by surprise. My only reactive food way soy. I had already been trying to avoid processed soy which is added to endless processed foods, so I knew strictly avoiding it at all times including while dining out and traveling would be a true challenge. Dairy was moderately reactive, which surprised me that there was something worse, since this was the only food I had ever been able to pinpoint, Common foods and spices like onions, cayenne pepper, mustard and chicken were all moderately reactive. Finally it all made sense to me- I have probably always been having some sneaky soy in my diet and in addition have been combining tons of moderately reactive foods into every meal.

The elimination diet instructs you to test the non-reactives and avoid the moderately reactives. I decided to notice how I felt eating the non-reactives that I usually eat and then proceed to test them if I did not feel okay. I felt okay with all of the non-reactives so I decided to test the moderately reactives to see which ones I needed to avoid more than others. This process has helped me to understand which foods I personally need to avoid and which ones help me feel best. At home I cook with only non-reactive foods, which is impossible to do out of the house. However, I know which foods to avoid at all costs and how to ensure I am not eating too many of my moderately reactive foods together and exacerbating their effects. 

The Takeaway.

The takeaway is- the diet I was told to follow by doctors- Low FODMOP instructs not to eat garlic, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower and many other of my most non-reactive foods that I have found to help me feel best. While this blood test is not for everyone and can also be expensive, I hope others consider doing some form of an elimination diet rather than blindly following trending diets. 

The answers are not always obvious or what the media/organizations portray as the most healthy, but they have helped me feel my most healthy. For example, I used to avoid red meat and ate white meat if I ate meat. I discovered that lamb and beef are two of my least reactive foods in comparison to other meats, many types of fish and vegetables. I now may eat a big juicy steak and fries (white potatoes are my least reactive compared to sweets) while dining out to feel my best. Obviously it would not be healthy to eat this every night, but in moderation and with its reactiveness to my body, this can be the right choice for me. I have finally, after a long journey found some relief. While I do not always feel perfect, I feel good knowing that I am in control and not a helpless bystander to how food affects my body. 

I used to feel sick after eating most desserts- even if they were vegan and gluten free probably because of the soy in most chocolates. Now I can find or bake my own soy free cookies in order to indulge and feel good. (find these cookies in my recip…

I used to feel sick after eating most desserts- even if they were vegan and gluten free probably because of the soy in most chocolates. Now I can find or bake my own soy free cookies in order to indulge and feel good. (find these cookies in my recipes!)

Sakara Life- Is it Worth it?

Read below about my amazing experience with Sakara Life, an expertly chef created "organic meal delivery program based on the science behind a plant-rich, gluten-free, superfood diet." Follow my special link for $50.00 off your first order! 💚

This was mine and my husband's first week, but we will definitely be ordering again!

This was mine and my husband's first week, but we will definitely be ordering again!

Sakara Life meals are all Plant-Based and packed with protein

Sakara Life meals are all Plant-Based and packed with protein

I forget how I first heard about Sakara Life, but I think it was right when they began delivering to DC. I was so tempted to try the Plant-Based, Vegan, Gluten-free meal delivery service. I was shocked that food that met all of those strict dietary standards could look and sound so incredibly delicious. At the time, I felt it wasn't worth it because living in DuPont Cicle, I had tons of equally delicious and healthy counter restaurants that had pick up and deliver. 

Now, living in Louisville, we have less options for healthy and quick meals. That was part of my motivation. The other parts were that I wanted some ideas and inspiration for plant-based eating and I also wanted a break from cooking 3 meals a day every week for a while. 

I will detail the Sakara Life meals' pros and cons. I recommend it for anyone who is trying to learn how to or try to eat plant-based meals, food snobs who want to try healthy food that is actually beautiful and delicious, and those who do not have time to make or local businesses that create on the go healthy meals. 

The Earth Bowl and The Med Bowl- two of our favorite meals from the week

The Earth Bowl and The Med Bowl- two of our favorite meals from the week

Love the Botanical Bodies campaign. I am always trying to improve my digestive health.

Love the Botanical Bodies campaign. I am always trying to improve my digestive health.

The Pros:

  • Everything came packaged perfectly. All items were intact and cold when they were delivered. The containers kept parts of the meal separate to ensure freshness.

  • It came with morning rose and mineral, as well as night chlorella water. It also was a special promo that came with Sakara Life probiotics. There were packets of two detox teas for each day, which I absolutely loved and want to re-order.

  • I thought I would have to supplement the meals a lot more than I did. I kept some fresh, raw fruits and veggies to snack on or add to some of the meals, but was always satiated and happy with how they came.

  • The meals are probably enough food for most men as well. My husband who runs 7 miles and goes to Crossfit every day did it with me. He likes having eggs for breakfast so he stuck with that and had his breakfast pastries/granola as desserts after dinner. I thought I would have to add extra protein to his meals for him, but he didn't need it. I think he is the exception since he burns so many calories, but most men could probably stick with the breakfast as is.

  • The meals were all beautiful, colorful and tasty. A couple of them surprised me. I saw them in the package and wasn't sure how they would taste, but once I put everything together it all made sense.

  • The dressings are what really make it taste so good. Their homemade dressings taste like they should be bad for you but are quite healthy for the most part.

  • Community support is another great aspect of joining Sakara Life meal delivery. I posted many of the meals on social media and received supportive comments from others doing the program and the founders themselves.

  • I like how it indicates which meals taste better heated. I rearranged the meals based on which ones I would be able to heat in a toaster or not (not necessary to heat though).

  • Each item tells some interesting fact or quote that has to do with whatever superfood is in the meal.

  • The food was all creative and really different. Instead of avocado toast there was a cool turmeric and beet toast. Instead of plain almond milk for the granola, there was green spirulina mylk.

The meals came packed perfectly, organized and intact with plenty of reusable ice packs

The meals came packed perfectly, organized and intact with plenty of reusable ice packs

This meal was the most creative (Asparagus/Turmeric/Beet toast) and surprisingly delicious

This meal was the most creative (Asparagus/Turmeric/Beet toast) and surprisingly delicious

By far my favorite breakfast. Both the spirulina mylk and the goji berry granola were awesome.

By far my favorite breakfast. Both the spirulina mylk and the goji berry granola were awesome.

The Cons:

  • Some meals needed slight supplements (not necessary though). I added fresh berries to each breakfast and cucumbers/tomatoes to a couple of the salads. For people like my husband, you may have to add more protein to your breakfast.

  • Some of the dressings had added sugar. I can only recall one or two that had straight up sugar and a couple that had more natural forms like maple syrup. I usually make my own dressings and do not add sugar to them. It can make them taste better, but I don think it's necessary if you add enough other flavors.

Overall, I would say that Sakara Life was totally worth it! The meals were great and packed with superfoods and nutrients. They were easy to take on the go, and saved so much time not having to "meal prep" or cook breakfast/dinner that week. It was fun doing it as a household with my husband, so we could both still eat the same dinner and reap the benefits of having some extra time! We will probably try to do Sakara meals once a month or so when we have a really busy week. 

The breakfasts were great, but I needed to add fresh berries to mine for it to be complete.

The breakfasts were great, but I needed to add fresh berries to mine for it to be complete.

My husband loved Sakara Life and only had to supplement the breakfast meals

My husband loved Sakara Life and only had to supplement the breakfast meals