Don’t let “perfect” be the enemy of “good”.
That’s one of my favorite phrases. We could all do well to remember it, which is why I’m posting it here.
I get questions and comments all the time about foods that I show on the blog or use in recipes that are/are not FODMAPs friendly. I’m not perfect. I try to eat a low FODMAPs diet most of the time and I do pretty well with it, but I definitely eat things that I know are FODMAPs. Sometimes they are things I know I hardly react to, but sometimes they are things I know may cause symptoms and I just do it. You have to live a little though! Food is fun and I love cooking and eating, so it’s my goal to not let my intolerances ruin things for me. I refuse to let a GI condition run my life.
When I was first diagnosed with IBS, I lived in fear of food. I was literally scared of eating because the symptoms were so bad I wanted to avoid dealing with them altogether. It was a dark time in my life (I’m not trying to sound dramatic – it really was) so I approach eating and managing my IBS differently now.
Anyway I don’t want to write an essay on this, I just want to remind my fellow IBS sufferers not to let over-analysis become paralyzing. Don’t let the fear of the “wrong” foods cause you to cower from all foods. The point of the low FODMAP diet is to help, not hinder, you in selecting meal options. And if you have a meal that’s high in FODMAPs and you feel like crap, that’s okay! That’s life! You move on and eat a squeaky clean FODMAPs free diet the next day and things get better.
So there you have it. Striving for “perfection” is a tricky thing. It’s good in theory but dangerous once it turns into an obsession. So whether it’s in your career goals, your fitness goals, or your dietary goals, just be mindful of how it is playing a role in your life. There’s a certain point when you can lose touch with reality and that’s when perfect becomes the enemy of good.
If you’re type A like me, then you probably struggle with perfectionism. It’s okay, we are all in it together. 🙂
Here’s some of my imperfect (but very good) eats from the other day.
Udi’s GF harvest crunch muffin topped with warm melty peanut butter.
The Essential Baking Co GF bread with a fried egg, goat cheese, tempeh “bacon” and spinach. Side of carrots.
Sierra Trail Mix Clif bar (new flavor!). Tastes just like a chocolate chip Chewy bar.
Snyder’s GF pretzel sticks with celery, carrots, and peanut butter.
Macro bowl with brown rice, black beans, and a fried egg.
Thank you for this honest post! I’ve recently been diagnosed myself, and have decided to let myself have a few FODMAPS every week- I’ve found that if I space them out evenly with a day or two in between, it causes minimal damage and keeps me sane! I agree, life is too short not to enjoy your food!
On a side note, I love that you don’t peel large carrots either. People think I’m crazy that I just eat them straight from the bag, but if they are organic and I rinse them, then what is the harm?? I’m just too lazy and usually too hungry to break out the peeler. Haha
Thank you for your comments about perfection, Elise!!! I came to the conclusion as well that when we place tight labels on ourselves like Vegan, FODMAP, Vegetarian, etc.. we corner ourselves into being a bit compulsive. I eat gluten free because my immune system has improved on it (not celiac), but my IBS got to where all I could eat was rice and cooked chicken. Then I stumbled upon the FODMAP diet and pulled myself out of being so sick. I wish I could be an ethical vegan, but my body is programmed differently. I’ve been calling myself the imperfect vegan. Your recipes and philosophy have contributed greatly to me feeling well again-
Bon Apetite
Thank you for your honest post and, your approach to this subject. I know that you are just living your life but, through seeing you live your life; I have recently started to live my life too. So thank you for this post and, the many others that you have written. I am very grateful to be able to get your help and advice to health. So thank you once again!
so true ! I feel like this applies to so many other aspects of eating too! Like- if I’m writing a blog about eating healthy, that doesn’t mean I have to eat perfectly 100% of the time! Have to live your life and do your thing!
Thank you so much for this post!! After being sick for years then finding a gluten sensitivity, dairy allergy and IBS it’s hard to not obsess over food when each modification can be life changing. Through your blog I’ve found so many recipes I can have as a “go to” that everyone likes and I can relax with. I’ve started dipping my toes into the FODMAP pond and it’s making things even better! Thanks can’t even express being able to eat even more without anxiety!!
I am currently making strides with the “paralyzing over-analysis” you mentioned in the regards to IBS & a low FODMAP diet. There are many times when the thought of dining out in a restaurant (when I can’t control all the ingredients) stresses me out just because I don’t want to feel sick later. I’ve come to realize though that I may be missing out on experiences by living like that. This post was inspiring! Thanks!
Thank you, Thank you so much. My IBS gets in the way of work. running to the bathroom every 20 minutes. i’m sure you know what i’m talking about. i’ve been trying to eat gluten free but sometimes that doesn’t even help. maybe i should try the FODMAP thing. or follow it better.
that muffin looks delicious!!
Thank you. I really needed this at this time in my life. 🙂
Perfection doesn’t lead to happiness and in the end nobody should seek for a perfect example in bloggers since our bodies function differently. What might work for us does not necessarily work for others. It is so nice to see that you found your balance and you are a role model for a happy, healthy life!
Thanks for posting this…..couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I tend to obsess about what I am eating and I need to ease up.
Thanks for blogging.., you make my day!
My first time commenting! As a fellow IBS sufferer i can definitely relate to over analysing which foods i should eat and which i should avoid. I’ve been driven round the bend in the past wondering what to eat. I’m currently being tested to see if im coeliac but i’m determined to not think about it too much as i have in the past.
What perfect timing for this post! It is difficult to let go of the IBS anxiety, and I often think that at times that anxiety only worsens the IBS! I am learning to manage IBS, and FODMAPS certainly helps, but you have to live and enjoy. I just remind myself that although I might feel yucky “off” the diet , I am good at getting myself on track to feeling better. Thank you for sharing what works well for you!
Thank you! Yes, exactly. I’ve not been diagnosed with IBS (simply because I can’t be bothered with a colonoscopy), but that’s what my doctor suspects as nothing else is turning up. But regardless, for quite a while I was just scared of food. Until I found your blog and began exploring FODMAPs and working through an elimination/challenge diet. I have to say, my food intake is rarely perfect. I still have symptoms, but not so bad, and not so much, and now, for the most part, *I’m* in control of them, instead of some unseen force. Thank you so much! 🙂
Sheila
I want to eat everything on this page!
Thank you for this post Elise! Based on reading through the other comments as well, it sounds like a lot of us need to be reminded of these things. Being a foodie, means to love food!…and sometimes those foods don’t always “agree” with our bodies! Love your blog!! 🙂
Wise words, Elise. Thank you so very much for this inspirational post. I am going to print it out and read it often. I pray I can develop the approach to food and living with IBS that you have grown to embrace. Right now I’m at the stage of living in fear of foods. My anxiety is sky high and I spend hours in the grocery store trying to find safe foods. To be honest, I don’t even think the low fodmap diet is helping. I just have to take the first step of eating some foods that I love and miss that are not low fodmap. I do miss my beans and hummus. That cliff bar looks amazing! As well as your muffin. Thank you again. I was so much happier before the low fodmap diet. I know it has helped you…but I often think my anxiety and deprivation on this diet have made things worse, not better.
Hey,
Enjoy your blog! When you were pregnant, had you researched any protein powders? I really like Sun Warrior, but hard to find out much on whether it is safe. Had you heard anything? I wouldn’t push to have one, but I find my green smoothies much more tolerable with a little protein powder.
Thank you so much for this reminder post! I recently found out that I have a severe gluten and wheat intolerance (on top of being vegan and having severe dairy allergies) and have found myself “afraid” to eat anything I haven’t deemed “safe” (like packaged soup, rice, bananas and apples, etc.) It’s such a good reminder that food shouldn’t cause that much stress, but should be something enjoyable instead!
I’ve been thinking along these same lines lately. It’s easy to become so focused on the effect food *might* have on you that you stop enjoying food altogether! A more balanced approach is so much better in the long run.
Always a good reminder. Since I (finally!) know what causes symptoms I’m much more relaxed in my approach now – if I want to eat something that’s higher in FODMAPS, I know I can get back on track the next day and plan accordingly. It’s very freeing. Honestly my fiance is more concerned about my eats than I am most of the time, double-checking that I can eat something when we are out to eat, etc. It’s pretty adorable.
I usually recommend either SunWarrior or Vega protein powders to my clients who are looking for an allergy-friendly protein powder. They both have sprouted brown rice protein and are free of added sugars (the have stevia), dairy, soy, corn and other common food triggers. A lot of these powders come in individual sample packets that you can try before committing to a huge container.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I’m still struggling with the fodmaps thing. I went on the diet 2 months ago now and felt soooo limited. I’m doing it a little different now. Instead of worrying about what I can eat, I go by the list of what not to eat and see the gastroenterologist again in December. It was tough going away this past weekend and I feel like I lived on eggs over-hard, potatoes, bunless burgers and salads that I picked out all the onions, cabbage and croutons and lightly drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. I know it will get easier, I just wonder when.
I also packed a lot of snacks with me that I know I can eat at home with no problem in case I couldn’t find what to eat on the road. Gluten free pretzels and cookies, bananas, and home made spelt bread and spelt muffins kept me from starving in between all those salads, eggs and potatoes.
Very good message Elise! I can’t imagine…I mean I don’t have IBS, but have experienced some major stomach pain recently (I finally figured out it was some medication I was on and have since been pain free) but I remember just being too scared to eat. It seems as if you are doing so well navigating thorugh your condition and showing others how to as well. BUT it’s clear you do so without compulsion
I think a lot of people need to hear this. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but you seem to approach FODMAPS the way that I do, and maybe that’s because you were the first person I’ve come across who doesn’t let IBS run their lives.
My IBS is really really super mild, so it’s easier for me to manage (it’s tied to endometriosis on my lower digestive tract) but try telling that to my mother! I made the mistake of mentioning I was trying FODMAPS and she asked for a “list” of what to buy me. My biggest troubles lie in the “O” so now my mother is afraid to even serve onions at the same table as me. It’s annoying to say the least…
I have learned, as you mentioned, that if I hit too many FODMAPS on a day, that I just do a nice easy low or no FODMAPS the next. I come to the conclusion that I’m not going to “break” anything in my body, it’s not the end of the world, and when people are under the impression that this is a strict approach to management, they can get frustrated or angry (at those who suggested they try it in the first place!) or, like my mother, flustered at you!
Thanks for this!
Thanks for this- I constantly am in need of this reminder 🙂