Shooting Yourself In The Foot

Last week, I accompanied a friend to a doctor’s appointment.

My role was official note taker.

As luck would have it, the discussion came around to the subject of gluten – even though this was far removed from the initial purpose of our visit.

In reviewing some of the lab work and test results, the doctor made some key observations and suddenly announced that my friend was likely highly sensitive to gluten.

When I heard the word “gluten” my ears instantly perked up.

I couldn’t help it.

I suddenly found myself glued to every word the doctor was saying, and felt incredibly grateful for this unique opportunity to hear his take on managing food allergies.

I particularly loved the following analogy.

The doctor compared the human body to a used vehicle, traveling along the Road of Life.

Along the way, he said, we encounter many potholes especially once we’ve reached a certain point in our lives. Having an autoimmune disease like Celiac Disease, or gluten sensitivity, is one of those potholes.

Which is why our bodies need to be properly maintained and require the occasional tune-ups – just like a car.

Understandably, the doctor was quite insistent that my friend completely eliminate gluten from her diet.

“Otherwise,” he said, “You are shooting yourself in the foot.”

Those words really stayed with me. It was a much-needed reminder that it was time to revisit any bad habits I might have picked up along the way.

Let’s take a closer look at how this works.

For anyone who has ever dealt with a medical issue or two, on this so-called Road of Life, how many of us have gone into denial after the initial diagnosis?

How many of us have been told not to eat certain foods, yet we eat them anyway, telling ourselves that one little bite can’t hurt?

Well, the sad truth is, you’ve just ‘shot yourself in the foot’.

When we consume a food that our body is sensitive to, our autoimmune and nervous systems are suddenly placed on high alert.

The immune system, in particular, goes into full fight mode, trying to rid itself of the intruder.

If you keep eating that same offensive food day after day, your body is thrown into an even bigger tizzy – until you go back to the doctor, wondering what the heck is wrong.

I can speak for myself here.

Along with gluten, there are a number of other foods I’m supposed to stay away from. For the most part, I’m religiously strict about avoiding these food triggers.

While I never eat anything containing gluten – at least, not knowingly – there are two notable exceptions.

One is quinoa.

Not only do I love quinoa, but it is also highly nutritious. I typically eat it once or twice a week, often enjoying a bowl of this chewy goodness for breakfast.

The thing is, for anyone who is sensitive to – or allergic – to any given food, it doesn’t matter how healthy it is or what the experts recommend.

You shouldn’t be eating it.

Period.

After listening to this doctor, quinoa has lost some of its allure.

I can’t help but think “I’m shooting myself in the foot” if I so much as have a bite.

It really isn’t what I want for myself.

The same goes for raspberries which are my absolutely favorite berry, right up there with blueberries!

When I was first told not to eat raspberries, I avoided them for the longest time before finally succumbing – the same way that many of us do.

I convinced myself that one little bite wouldn’t hurt, at first having just one or two, then progressing to a full bowl of their juicy sweetness.

They are just SO good!

However, when my husband returned from the grocery store this past weekend with a pint of raspberries – I had second thoughts.

The same refrain kept running through my head “You’re shooting yourself in the foot, if you have just one. Don’t do it.”

And I didn’t.

What about you?

Do you routinely shoot yourself in the foot with your food choices?

Is it time to start making some changes and follow the good doctor’s advice?