I’m on a lot of drugs right now

I’m on a lot of drugs right now.  Not those kind.  Medications that help me function normally.  I’ve mentioned before my blood pressure meds.  Those are two separate ones.  Then, thanks to everything that produces chlorophyll, I’m on Allegra and Flonase during the day; Singulair at night.  When that doesn’t do it, I add in Rhinocort nasal spray and Alaway for itchy eyes.  When my lungs start to play dirty, I have an inhaler.

All of this to feel normal and encourage my body to behave normally.

I know I’m not the only one who needs medicinal help.  There isn’t enough space to list all the ways we medicate ourselves.  Cholesterol, autoimmune, mental health … the list could go on.

Despite how it may appear, I’m not a pill popper. I attempt to manage with my diet and the occasional supplement.  Sometimes, though, it’s necessary.  Like all those allergy meds.  It’s totally worth it to me to take those so I can sit outside and write like I am now.

Now if someone else were to walk in my medicine cabinet and take all I do, it might be a different story. Obviously someone whose histamines don’t go wacko doesn’t need my concoction.  And why would anyone take a pill to improve kidney function if hers worked just fine?

I’d like to think our nutrition is similar.  While we all need the same nutrients for optimal health, we don’t need them in the same form.  Our requirements vary based on our activity level, where we live, inherent imbalances, hormones, and age.  

A few weeks ago, I tried to do a comprehensive post on nutrition and got discouraged because there’s just so much to discuss.  I think one of my biggest challenges is just finding what works for me and putting blinders on to what everyone else is doing.   For me, trying to eat most of my foods straight from the source, most of the time, works best.  I’m not deprived, I get to have indulgences, and it’s sustainable for the long term.  

It’s like my medicine cabinet.  Not everybody needs Allegra every day, just like not everybody can eat nuts.  I need the right combination of allergy medicines to keep my nose from acting like a dripping faucet and eyes to feel like sandpaper.  And I need the right combination of foods to provide energy, mental clarity and healthy insides.  
Nutrition can be so muddy and confusing, especially when we start looking at what others are doing.  I’ve talked before about that little demon called Comparison, who steps in and nudges me with insecurity.  Every time — every stinking time — I hear of a friend who’s had success with a dietary plan, I wonder: should I try that?  Should I give up wheat? Nuts? Sugar?

Your medicine shelf is probably completely different because your needs are different (unless, of course, you live in a highly allergic city like I do, in which case we are probably keeping AstraZeneca in business.)  

Your daily foods probably vary from mine.  We just have to know what fuels us best.  Just like it took several months for me to get on the right blood pressure medication, it might take trial and errors from a food perspective.  We just have to listen to our bodies and stay in our own space, confident of what we know is best for us … and not anyone else.

What what is best for your body, despite what others may be doing.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

2 thoughts on “I’m on a lot of drugs right now”

  1. I recently enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and am myself starting to “dig in” to the many different dietary theories.

    My husband was diagnosed with Prostate cancer a couple of years ago. He had his prostate removed and had follow up radiation treatment and hormone therapy. Both his urologist and oncologist (conventional doctors) said the same thing separately when my husband asked about diet. No sugar (added), No processed foods, No dairy and minimal animal protein. Due to complications from the radiation, my husband was hospitalized in CCU with septic shock. All of his major organs were affected. He suffered a major heart attack and needed triple bypass surgery. Again we asked the question of the cardiologist and thoracic surgeon about diet. And from them, No sugar (added), No processed foods, No dairy and very little animal protein. Based on the research we have done, we do belief there is truth to these recommendations and so my husband follows the Mediterranean plan. I agree with you..each person is different and so lifestyles are different but some the foundation on most is the same.

  2. Donna, thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, and I’m so sorry for all the health problems your husband has had. Wow, that must have been so stressful. It’s funny you mention the Mediterranean plan. I think I naturally migrate to that, preferring what I call plant-based fats: nuts, avocados, olive oil, etc. I think overall that plan is fantastic, but probably because I enjoy eating everything it recommends. Honestly I try not to have too much sugar (though definitely have my moments). What is a lot of sugar for me may be minimal to someone else, or overabundance to another person. My own personal challenge is not making hard and fast rules that can quickly become an obsession. If I start worshipping the “diet” rather than my Creator I’m on then my heart is in the wrong place. I love your last sentence, and totally agree. We are all different but the nutritional foundation is the same. It’s just figuring out the nuances that work for our individual lives, physical needs and personalities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.