Don’t eat that! Eat this instead.
Some diets recommend low fat. Some endorse high protein. Some forbid carbohydrates. Some praise those same carbohydrates. Some limit fiber.
It’s so confusing figuring out what to eat. If you listen to just two theories, you will find out that you can’t eat anything.
So, what should we eat? The truth of the matter is, it’s complicated. Complex problems require complex answers. In general, we should watch what we eat.
But if you have a rare disease, such as beta thalassemia, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease, you need to be especially careful about what you eat.
Beta thalassemia is an overabundance of iron in the blood.
When most people hear the term anemia, they think of an iron deficiency, but anemia is a much broader condition. In essence, anemia is when there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the body. Iron is one of the main components involved in the construction of new red blood cells. Without sufficient red blood cells, the body tries to compensate by absorbing more iron, thereby resulting in beta thalassemia. Knowing what you can and cannot eat is important to managing the amount of iron your body absorbs. Find out more about these dietary restrictions by clicking here.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the intestines when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a compound made up of two proteins found in most grains and related foods. Obviously, we should all avoid the foods we’re allergic to, so those with celiac disease need to carefully monitor the foods they consume.
Fortunately, celiac disease is an incredibly rare condition, affecting less than 1% of the population. However, far more people follow the gluten-free diet voluntarily—for their own health. In fact, it is estimated that gluten-free dieters without celiac disease outnumber those with the disease 2:1. Read more about what you cannot eat if you have this disease by clicking here.
Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease; though, it can affect most parts of the digestive tract. The large intestine or other parts of the bowel and colon may become inflamed or enlarged, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool. Eating the wrong foods is one of the triggers that can cause the inflammation. Read more about the foods that you should avoid to minimize your chances of food-related inflammation by clicking here.
Needless to say, the old adage about chains and weakest links comes to mind with regards to the food we consume.
We will only be as healthy as the food we consume.
If we choose to fuel ourselves with foods that may trigger or cause damage, we should not be surprised when we don’t feel well.
