Part 1: The Code

Eating Post Modern is about a mental framing. It informs how and why I choose what is included or excluded from my diet. Over the years, I’ve become more mindful of my body’s reactions to food, specifically what foods or combinations of foods are inflammatory for me. It’s an ongoing experiment, currently in its 24th year. Now, instead of blindly following the latest (or even “proven”) diet recommendations because experts say its healthful, because everyone is having great results, or just out of desperation to try anything to make the pain and fatigue go away, I mindfully listen to the effects of foods in my body and respond by consciously choosing what supports my health. It’s an interesting inner dialogue. Postmodernism is about challenging the grand narratives.

Over the course of this experiment, what I’ve learned is that some foods result in an immediate and extreme inflammation and pain response and others allow a slow accumulation resulting in a body state that is hair-triggered for pain, fatigue and all that goes along with it. Very early on in my journey, I had an adverse reaction to a prescription medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis and my MD recommended a cleanse to more quickly rid my system of said medication. Always the overachiever, I found a 30-day fasting program that not only got the yuck out but completely disappeared my symptoms. Needless to say that program isn’t sustainable as a lifestyle. However, as I feel my body accumulate inflammation I revisit the fast as a tool to reset my system. Then I re-evaluate what is working and not working for me food-wise. It turns out that it’s a great tool to weed out what doesn’t serve me.

I learned that eating without thinking doesn’t serve me. Left to my own cravings and old habits, I’m certain I’d be bedridden and physically broken. Extreme mindfulness in eating results in my most pain-free and inflammation-free physical experience. Mindfulness keeps unwanted pounds away too. With RA (like many other diseases) maintaining a healthful weight is important – every extra one pound of weight puts 4 pounds of pressure on knees, ankles and feet joints.

Seven years ago I adopted a gluten-free diet and experienced good results. It reduces systemic inflammation for me (although not necessarily joint inflammation). Two years ago I took steps toward a more paleo framing (by virtue of excluding most grains, especially corn, and cheese), and enjoyed even better results as far as systemic inflammation goes. Most notably, the elimination of sugar from my diet is the single most important factor in keeping inflammation at bay.

This process of experimentation has led to my Code for healthy eating, the Eating Post Modern framework I follow:

1. Eat as big a variety of fresh vegetables as you can find.
2. Experiment with, and eat, quality proteins in abundance.
3. Drink plenty of water, green and herbal teas.
4. Enjoy distilled spirits, but avoid wine, beer, juices, sodas and other sugary or fermented beverages.
5. Eliminate gluten and processed foods.
6. Think paleo: reduce or eliminate grains (including corn) and dairy.
7. Reduce or eliminate sugar; replace with natural sweeteners like honey for isolated treats.
8. If you can make it yourself, do (anything and everything from sauces to teas, tortillas to baked goods).

I encourage you to develop your own Code. Experiment. Explore. Find what works and capture it in a simple set of rules to make your home cooked and restaurant dining support your body and your life.