Trading Doritos for Wellness: My Quest to Outrun the American Diet
In the last few years, I’ve been struggling with the side effects of the typical American diet — everything from energy swings to gut issues. As I face the prospect of turning 50, the urgency to reclaim my health has never been more. Both the milestone birthday and the realization of how my diet was affecting my well-being motivated me to take action. For more on this journey, see my first article…
At the time of writing this, I have just over a year before I reach that milestone, so there’s a lot of work I need to do. One of the areas I want to focus on is nutrition. My core goals for nutrition are as follows, more energy when I wake up, sustained energy throughout the entire day with minimal lows, improving my gut health, and maintaining my health as I age. Since running is a core component of my long-term health plan, dialing in nutrition specifically for running is also a priority.
Last summer, I began working with a functional nutritionist Tam John, a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and the author of ‘A Fresh Wellness Mindset.’ I committed to a three-month program in which we would meet on zoom for one-hour sessions each week. These meetings allowed us to discuss how my week had gone and to plan for the upcoming week.
The diet I’ve spent nearly 50 years cultivating is the typical American Diet. It includes items that come in boxes and bags, foods that crunch and boast complex flavor profiles — like Doritos and Cheetos. Ever considered the science that goes into creating these snacks? Science is good, right?
During our first session, Tam dove into my habits and health history, and set goals. The reality is that the American Diet does have its side effects. In my case, these include psoriasis, gut health issues, and a roller coaster of high and low energy.
Next, I worked with Tam to set goals based on what we had reviewed and where I wanted to be. We established both short-term and long-term goals, ensuring they were realistic, achievable, and measurable. I had recently completed an IgG food sensitivity test just before starting with Tam. As someone obsessed with stats and data, I plan to do these tests annually. They proved invaluable in refining the plan and reducing guesswork.
An IgG food sensitivity test is a blood test that checks how your body reacts to different foods. If the test shows that you have a high level of antibodies for a certain food, that could mean you’re sensitive to it. Having this information was really helpful for me; it gave me a roadmap for my diet and saved a lot of time I would have spent on trial and error. I used an online company called “Everlywell”.
As it turns out, I have a sensitivity to coffee. Thanks to the IgG test, I could pinpoint this as one of the culprits for my psoriasis flare-ups. Cutting out other offending foods also helped, and my symptoms diminished by 90% within a few days. But come on — coffee? That’s just uncalled for.
Tam’s approach was personalized, creating what we dubbed the ‘Eric Diet.’ I increased my water intake and incorporated vegetables specifically beneficial to my goals. Processed foods were largely eliminated, and we carefully selected grains that fit well with my nutritional needs. Supplements were introduced, not haphazardly, but with a clear purpose in mind. I also improved my grocery shopping skills, learning how to make better choices for my specific needs. The whole process was not just about changing what I ate but also altering how I engage with food.
Knowing the ‘whys’ is critical for long-term success.” — Tam Johns
The interesting thing about running is that it hasn’t required any special dietary adjustments. When I stick to the plan Tam and I created, the energy I need for running is naturally there. For instance, the grains I choose for dinner fuel my runs the next morning. On longer runs, I bring along an applesauce pack and a banana, stashed in my running vest. The amount of water I consume daily is generally sufficient for most runs, so I only bring extra water on exceptionally hot days. And while coffee is no longer part of my morning ritual, I’ve added caffeine pills to my toolkit for those days when I’m feeling a bit sluggish before a run.
In just three months of focused effort and collaboration with Tam, I’ve not only revamped my diet but also overhauled my relationship with food. Understanding the ‘whys’ has been instrumental — knowing why certain foods energize me while others don’t, why some inflame my psoriasis, and why specific choices benefit my gut health. This knowledge makes it easier to make smarter choices every day. My energy levels have stabilized, my skin is clearer, and I’m genuinely optimistic about my gut health improving.
As I stand at the doorstep of turning 50, my journey stresses that it’s never too late to make changes for the better. Whether you’re halfway to 100 like me or at any other milestone, life’s too short for regrets. I encourage you to be proactive, and to find your own path to wellness.
In my articles, I blend humor and introspection, giving readers a candid glimpse into my running adventures. From debunking my own running myths to celebrating small victories, I mix wit with a dash of dad jokes. With every tale, I encourage readers to laugh, reflect, and maybe even hit the pavement themselves. Come along as I tackle life and running, one light-hearted step at a time.
— Eric
