Tuesday Coffee Chat

The Struggle is Real: Rant or comic relief. What are you struggling with these days?

Reflux.

I have always had a sourish stomach, popping a Tums before I go to bed. Over the past few years it has gotten worse so I went on prescription Prilosec a couple of years ago. Even taking Prilosec twice a day I have had some chest pains (not as much in my throat with the medication) at night and needed to take either Gas X, Tums, or Gaviscon to even be able to lay down and go to sleep. My sister-in-law is a pharmacist and has warned me about the long-term negative effects of Prilosec, so I would really like to be able to stop taking it someday. That does not look promising in my current condition.

I have tried every conceivable way of eating, because all of the experts have a different opinion. I've even gone as far as Ketogenic (practically NO carbs) because I had heard others report how much better they felt on that diet. I can't say I felt any worse, but certainly not better, and I was starving all the time. I even did Grain Free with the same results.

I am a CARB ADDICT so I have worked for the past few years to limit my carbs to 30% or less a day, in relation to fats and protein. That's what the current trends are suggesting.

After a particularly bad week with my reflux last week, I said, "Suck it!" and did what I knew would make me feel better. I made the decision to spend a couple of days eating a yellow diet. That meant, yep, you guessed it, almost ALL CARBS! I needed a bland diet. I needed no spices, no colors, no extra yummy, no fats. I needed my tummy to feel loved and warm and cozy.

I instantly felt better. And by that I mean that by lunch I could already tell a difference!

For breakfast I had a bowl of whole grain oats with 1/4 apple, cinnamon, and stevia. For lunch I had the other 3/4 of the apple and a half of an almond butter sandwich on 100% whole wheat bread. For dinner I had some penne pasta with small shrimp and mini cremini mushrooms seasoned with some grated parmesan cheese, turmeric, and parsley.

And I wasn't even hungry for a bedtime snack, which is a rarity under my previous diets!

So I ate the exact same thing the next day. And I felt amazing! And I've been eating pretty much that way ever since and I haven't had one moment of heartburn or gas or anything.

But carbs are my enemy, right? They always have been! That's what I am always told!

So, do I want to eat to look good or feel good?

Right now, I'm opting for feeling good. I am all for looking good, too, but I am almost 45 years old. I am not going to be a swimsuit model. That is no longer my goal (not that it ever was). My goal is for my stomach to not hang over my jeans.

But here is an added bonus surprise .... I think I have actually, maybe, lost a little weight! Or, at least, I know I sure haven't gained any! I can always tell my weight by my waist and how I am wearing my jeans and how much tummy hang over I have. And I look and feel really trim right now.

And, folks, I haven't exercised in a couple of months, so that's not it. (I am desperately waiting for nicer temps so I can get back out and run!)

I read the book Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook & Cure by Jamie Kaufman, M.D. & Jordan Stern, M.D., and following it has made me feel fantastic! I feel fantastic!

This plan is way simple, doesn't require any measuring or macro figuring or keeping track of anything. It just requires me to eat some things and not others.

But the best part is ... I GET TO EAT CARBS!!! Oh, Hallelujah! I will keep you updated as to my progress. If I continue to feel this good, I might try to cut out one of my doses of Prilosec each day.

So, the struggle continues. But, have I found the holy grail of answers? Do I still get to eat my yummy carbs, and drink coffee, and feel good, and look good?? Let's hope!