Do you feel alone in your struggle with food sensitivities? Do you feel sad for your child who struggles with a food allergy or sensitivity and have a difficult time reconciling the “why?” It can be isolating at times, if not daily, when we need to avoid a certain food or many foods in order to help our bodies function at their full potential.
Emotional turmoil over food sensitivities
Recently, a friend of mine with food sensitivities reached out to me with these heavy thoughts:
“I’m emotionally having a hard time accepting there are foods I can’t have anymore. I know that I feel better when I avoid them; however, it is still hard.
I’m also struggling with how to eat somewhere other than home. We share meals with others so often, and it’s just very hard.
I don’t know if you’ve had to process through any of these emotions on your journey (with food sensitivities), but I’m really having a hard time right now, and I’d just love to hear your thoughts.”
Wow. These were deep feelings and legitimate problems. I was honored she shared them with me, and they forced me to really pause and think through my journey since taking the MRT and following the LEAP Protocol.
A prayer and a response
I prayed, gathered my thoughts, and responded:
“These are big thoughts. It is difficult to reconcile how we are eating now versus before our testing, along with how it lines up with the Bible where it talks about all food being acceptable in the New Testament.
First of all, YES – I have struggled with those feelings and still do at times.
A few thoughts: Our world is very different now than in biblical times. Growing up on processed foods and with environmental toxins is not the way we were created to live. They harm our guts and our bodies. The MRT tests some of the most basic foods and helps us get back to the basics similar to how people ate in biblical times.
Regarding eating out (or even simply eating a meal someone else prepares), it is certainly a transition to not participate. When we are used to eating out often, bringing food in, or eating at someone else’s house for a potluck or Bible study or community event, it’s hard to say “no”. I try to always find a way to say “yes” to a community meal time and just bring my own food. I don’t ask for accommodations, and I try to be nonchalant about it. If someone has questions, I am happy to answer, but only if they ask.
I am so sorry you’re struggling right now. It’s hard to be different in this way, but I guess in some ways it is similar to being different from the world as a believer – we have some practice. It is hard, but I’m so glad you’ve experienced the benefits of eating the way you need to for your body to feel good. Those results help keep up the motivation! I’m praying for you!”
A word of encouragement
If you struggle with food sensitivities in your household, take heart. Many people overcome sensitivities through avoidance for a season and then gradual reintroduction following a process like the one discussed in this podcast with Lisa Dreher. If that is not your case, and you must avoid certain foods for the rest of your life, I pray you may enjoy the foods you CAN eat and be thankful to know how best to care for your body!
If you’re looking for products that fit your dietary needs and get frustrated with the time it takes to research, I’ve done the work for you! Head on over to the Product Lists menu for thousands of products with their ingredients listed. All you have to do is search through the category using CTRL F for foods that fit your needs and click the link to navigate to Amazon or the company’s website for easy ordering. I want to share the time and effort I’ve put into making lists of foods with minimal ingredients so you can move forward with healing as smoothly as possible!
