What Can I Eat?

"What can you eat for breakfast in the morning?"

It's a perfectly reasonable question. But it kind of hit me tonight that it's the wrong question to ask. I CAN eat anything. The better question is what do I choose to eat in the morning.

A few years ago, I started a ketogenic diet for my chronic migraine. I had a month of decreased head pain. In fact, I didn't need to use my triptan medications for an entire month! But, over the next couple of months, my pain came back to it's normal level.

I found, though, that the ketogenic diet just helped me feel better. I did lose 60 pounds, and my body functions at a higher level when I'm at a healthier weight. So, I just like life better when I'm following the keto diet.

A ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high fat diet that causes the body to eventually use mostly fat for energy. It affects brain neurotransmitters in such a way that it can be helpful for some people with seizure disorders. In fact, that was the primary use for the diet in the early parts of the century.

I may not have gotten the hoped-for migraine relief with the diet change, but I did find that my body likes it. It's worth it to do the extra work it requires to eat this way.

I've realized that thinking about how I eat helps. Instead of thinking about what I CAN eat, I focus on what I CHOOSE to eat. That simple word change makes a huge difference. I CAN eat anything I want. I CHOOSE to eat things that are low-carbohydrate and nutrient dense because they make me feel better.

It seems like just a word change, but it's a complete revolution in outlook. I answered my mom with what I would like to eat tomorrow morning.

"I'll make myself some spinach and eggs. Thank you."

Catherine