What I’ve Learned: Healing and Staying Healed with Food

In 2011, as I was recovering from a massive, life-threatening flare-up of the autoimmune disease Ulcerative Colitis, I began my intensive search for the foods that would not only be healing for me but, even more importantly, would help me to stay healed.

This journey involved immersing myself in nutrition research—reading countless books and blogs, exploring websites, watching documentaries, and having meaningful conversations with others who had navigated autoimmune disease. I was determined to understand how food could become my medicine.

The process of learning about therapeutic nutrition and implementing what I discovered was both exciting and challenging. I made plenty of mistakes along the way, sometimes going to extremes, other times not doing enough, frequently overcomplicating what should have been simple. I was hard on myself when I wasn't "perfect," constantly cycling through research, reading, studying, experimenting, and analyzing. 

Through this intensive process, I learned a tremendous amount, and more importantly, I was gratefully able to achieve what I had been told was nearly impossible—remaining free of my chronic disease for well over a decade. The biggest truth I came to understand became increasingly clear to me over the years: 

We need to eat REAL food. Whole or minimally processed, nutrient-dense, nourishing, healing, real food.

Here are the foundational food principles that have guided my natural healing journey:

• The more organic, minimally processed real food we eat (vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, whole grains, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, wild-caught fish) the healthier we can become.
• The less highly processed, packaged foods we consume, the healthier we can become.
• The more we listen to our bodies when they tell us what does and doesn't make us feel good, the healthier we become.
• The more we reconnect with nature's ancient wisdom, the healthier we become.

While every BODY is unique—with individual food sensitivities, nutrient needs, microbiome health, and genetic factors that benefit from personalized guidance (this is where working with a naturopath or functional medicine provider becomes invaluable)—I've found these fundamental principles can make a profound difference even in the most challenging health circumstances.

The equation remains beautifully simple: Real, whole, nutrient-dense, nourishing food = healing and health.

While nutrition is foundational, the path of natural healing certainly doesn't end there. I've learned that true, lasting healing and health requires a holistic approach that extends far beyond just what we eat. Lifestyle factors like prioritizing adequate sleep, simplifying our schedules, incorporating regular movement, addressing past trauma with the help of professional guidance, managing stress through practices like meditation or yoga, and cultivating gratitude all play crucial roles in supporting the body's natural healing capacity. Our modern culture often glorifies busyness and material success at the expense of our health, but I've found that intentionally choosing more simplicity, rest, and meaningful connection creates an optimal environment for healing to flourish. 

The food we eat provides the building blocks for health, but how we live our lives determines whether our bodies can effectively use those nutrients to heal and stay well.

I encourage you to embrace the truth that food and lifestyle can be medicine. The body has an incredible, innate ability to heal when given the right support. 

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‍Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and reflects the author's personal health journey. It is not medical advice. The author is a certified nutrition coach, not a medical doctor. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis or treatment, and before making changes to your diet or treatment plan, especially if you have a medical condition.