If you’ve been following me online for a little bit, you may have seen bits and pieces of my health journey over the past several years. I have actually been in the fitness world for more than ten years – an entire decade! I began my entrepreneurial journey as a health coach and am super passionate about fine tuning the foods I consume and my fitness routine to ensure I’m fueling my body in the best possible way.
I haven’t shared a ton of information about my dietary changes since I overhauled what diet earlier this summer, but I get a ton of questions on the subject so I will be sharing more and more about what works for me and my health.
Please note: I am not a medical professional nor am I offering medical advice. I am simply sharing what’s worked best for my body, and what I’ve found makes me feel my best after doing a lot of research and trial and error. Please consult a medical professional for your own dietary needs.
Ok, let’s talk about metabolic health! I have been managing my hypothyroidism for several years now. Some of the first symptoms I noticed were:
· My hair started thinning, specifically around my temples
· I was qaining weight
· My hands and feet were always cold
· I had super dry skin
· I was dealing with acne
· I had digestive issues
· My hair was super brittle and brassy
My issues with my hair were actually why I initially started using Monat! Between my hair breaking off and being super brittle, to the thinning around my face, I needed major hair help.
Here’s the thing though: your metabolic health and your hormone health will impact your hair health! When you address your internal health, it shows externally. Ultimately, your skin and your hair tell your health story.
I knew I should not be experiencing thinning hair at 26 years old, and that it had to be a part of a bigger picture. As I began taking a hard look at my diet and my fitness routine, I also started using Monat’s rejuveniqe oil on my scalp, and the intense repair treatment on my templates to combat the hair thinning issues I was experiencing.
The amazing thing about the intense repair treatment is that it helps stimulate the hair follicle to promote hair growth. So, while I started to get my hair healthier by using cleaner, more effective products, I knew I still needed to overhaul what I was eating ad try something drastically different.
I truly believe that our bodies tell us things, and we either choose to listen to it or not.
To get started, it’s as simple as taking a step back and really evaluating how you feel.
-Are you exhausted?
-Are you constantly craving certain foods?
-Is your hair thinning?
-Are you breaking out with acne consistently after eating certain foods?
-Do you have brain fog frequently?
The more I learned about how my body, skin and mind respond to certain foods, the more I was able to nourish my body in a more meaningful and healthy way.
I don’t know about you, but I was told for years to limit carbs, eliminate sugars and avoid dairy and meat. The thing is, glucose actually fuels our body! And consistently suppressing your cravings and depriving your body will eventually lead to a major crash.
It’s simply not sustainable to function off of adrenaline. Trust me, I’ve been there and I’ve tried it. At 31 years old, for the first time in my life, I feel so much better. I feel healthier. I feel more well rested, and although I’m still learning every day, I feel like I’ve found what works best for my body.
So, what do I eat these days?
The short answer: Pro-metabolic foods, that fuel my metabolism! Foods that nourish my body and make me happy and function at my best.
This includes:
-Eating raw high quality dairy
-Root veggies
-Potatoes
-Easily digestible carbs from whole foods
-Consuming grass-fed, pastured meats
-Drinking mineral-rich bone broth
-Orange juice
-Fruits like papaya, bananas, cherries, and cooked apples
It also means I’ve cut out:
-Stevia and other fake sugars
-Almond milk
-Soy products
-Oat milk
Here’s an example of what my diet might look like one day:
BREAKFAST:
-Eggs mixed with cottage cheese
-Roasted potatoes cooked in coconut oil
-Cup of OJ with collagen
-Fruit
*Caffeine only after a meal*
SNACKS:
-Siggi’s yogurt with cherries and honey
-Carrot salad
-Juice
-A slice or two of cheese
-A vitamin B cookie with warm milk
-Casein mixed with warm milk
LUNCH:
Usually a snack plate because it’s easy.
Cheese, fruit, deli meat, honey mustard
DINNER
-Taco bowls
-Shrimp curry with a potato
-Steak with mushrooms and roasted root veggies
The best advice I can give to someone who is starting to explore a healthier diet? Start by keeping a food journal. Log when you feel certain ways, how many hours you slept that night, your mental state, etc. Once you begin tracking how your body responds to certain foods, you can make changes to fuel it more healthily.
Let me know if this was helpful or not! I love talking about this stuff, and a really excited to start sharing more. Stay tuned to the blog for more content on this subject, coming soon!
*Please note: I am not a medical professional nor am I offering medical advice. I am simply sharing what’s worked best for my body, and what I’ve found makes me feel my best after doing a lot of research and trial and error. Please consult a professional for your own dietary and exercise needs.
