Exclusive Content

Let’s talk about food, y’all. I know I always talk about what to add to your diet, but how about we do some subtraction. Or more specifically (and tragically), the moment my body decided the things I love most — bread, cheese, coffee, joy — might be the very things making me feel like trash. I need Kleenex before I go on. Please hold.

Ok, I’m back. Before I go too far, let me say this: I’m not a doctor, nutritionist, or licensed joy-stealer. But I am someone living with an autoimmune condition, and at a certain point, I couldn’t ignore the fatigue, the bloating, the brain fog, and the weird joint aches that showed up like uninvited guests after certain meals. My body was whispering again — and this time it sounded like: “We need to break up with gluten. And maybe dairy. And also sugar. Sorry, boo.” I responded with, “¿Parlez-vous Français?” because we clearly weren’t speaking the same language.

Enter: the elimination diet. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a method where you strip out common inflammatory foods (such as dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, sugar, caffeine – basically everything that makes brunch fun) for a few weeks, then slowly reintroduce them one at a time to see how your body reacts. Sounds simple. It’s not.

The first few days felt like withdrawal. I would’ve traded my future for a croissant and a latte. My kitchen was a crime scene of vegetables and complaints. I knew I was in a bad place when my dog started to voluntarily eat his food and not try to steal mine. But after about a week? I woke up with more energy. My stomach didn’t feel like a brick. My skin even glowed. A lot. Like, I haven’t worn foundation in weeks.

And then came reintroduction:

• Dairy? Instant mucus, bloating, and feelings of regret.
• Gluten? Brain fog out of this world.
• Coffee? My stomach would have rather not.

It was eye-opening. Not just because I found actual sensitivities, but because I finally felt like I was listening to my body and honoring what it needed — versus what my cravings demanded. Let me repeat that once more for myself.

Now, am I perfect? Absolutely not. I still flirt with mac and cheese from time to time. But at least I know the deal. I know how to support my body when it's flaring. That knowledge is powerful.

If you’ve ever thought “Is it something I’m eating?” — you’re not crazy. Our gut health and immune system are deeply connected. An elimination diet can be a helpful reset, if you go into it with guidance, patience, and a stocked fridge. Don’t do it just to be trendy. Do it to feel better.

And if nothing else, you’ll finally learn what “nutritional yeast” is.