180° and a new view

I have this other draft post saved (with an accompanying recipe) that I’ve been meaning to publish but keep hesitating.

Why?

I guess, because I’m afraid of the keyboard warriors and the trolls out there. I should count myself rather fortunate that I’ve only ever dealt with maybe a handful (as in, I could count them on one hand) of negative trolling comments in the near-decade that I’ve had this blog. That’s pretty amazing. But because of that I haven’t built up a thick skin and I don’t like mean people. (Does anyone?)

But here it goes.

I’m not vegan. I’m not plant-based. I eat lots of vegetables still. But I am definitely, firmly in the omnivore category now. And I’m okay with that.

image source

The reason I rebranded my blog a few years back is because I wasn’t comfortable naming myself The Gluten Free Vegan any longer. It didn’t fit me anymore.

I’ve got nothing but love for all my friends and followers who still lead a plant-based life. I respect that lifestyle wholly and I wish anyone who decides to be plant-based the best of success.

Why am I no longer vegan/plant-based? For a few reasons. But mainly because I’ve always been a believer in listening to my body. Being in-tune with my body, I am keenly aware of changes, no matter how minor they seem. Before I even knew I was pregnant, I knew something was up. Pregnancy wasn’t even on my radar actually, but one thing changed drastically and it was my body craving and needing something more than I was feeding it on my current (and rather varied) plant-based diet.

(I don’t want a barrage of comments about how I could have managed my pregnancy while still avoiding animal products. I know I could have. I chose, rather consciously, not to. Judge away, but keep it to yourself.)

Truthfully, I actually thought after having my son I’d go back to eating plant-based but he’s almost three and I haven’t had a firm desire to.

I have had some real health struggles in the past year which has caused me to explore varied options for managing my health through dietary changes. Especially after reaching a frustrating new high weight after a particularly anxiety-ridden, stressful winter and spring, I was determined to find a solution, even if it seemed so far away from what my former ideals used to be.

Surprisingly I found the solution in a roundabout way. My acupuncturist was helping me by treating my symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and throughout the course of treatment recommended I read a book called The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. (affiliate link)

Well let me tell you, I was highly offended and insulted. Immediately I was miffed that she would dare recommend a book about obesity to me. I was hardly obese. (Actually, I was. I was also in denial, obv.) I refused to read it.

About 5 months later an old friend started posting somewhat cryptic statuses on her Facebook page about skipping breakfast and how we’ve been brainwashed to eat 6 times a day, etc. I was intrigued about what she was talking about and reached out to her. Imagine my surprise when her recommended reading included the very same book my acupuncturist recommended to me. Since my friend was much less overweight than I was, I decided it was time to give this book a read. Thus my new lifestyle was born. On a Sunday night I read the book through. Monday morning both Levi and I started overhauling our diet and lifestyle in relation to food.

I now follow a low carb, high healthy fat, moderate protein way of eating. Lots of people call this keto but we are a bit different than just keto. We try to avoid all kinds of sweeteners, even the sugar-free ones. This is to help me with my insulin resistance which has caused my PCOS to get out of control. My primary goal is to get that insulin resistance under control. Secondary to that, any weight loss is a bonus.

You guys the changes have been akin to miracles for Levi and I. I don’t want to sound like some evangelist but honestly it’s hard not to. I may share more about our journey down this road at another time in more detail.

This wasn’t some magic pill. There was no magic powder drink. No magic snack bars to buy.

So when I talk about a complete 180° in the way we eat I’m not joking. But this place here in the blogosphere (do people even use that word anymore?) is my place and I’m allowed to do me how I see fit. You’re just welcome to be respectful observers in my judgement free zone.