Per Jackie’s recommendation, I gave her nutritionist, Barbara Gray of Food for Life, a call. As God would have it, her next opening was the same day I had scheduled the appointment with FIRM (the fertility specialists). I had this strong conviction that God wanted me to see Barbara and explore that route over the fertility specialists so I called FIRM and cancelled my appointment with them.
Before I get into my experience with Barbara, the first and most important thing I want to mention about her is that she’s a Christian. Everything she believes and everything she teaches is all based on how God created us. It’s fascinating to hear her talk about the interconnectivity of the body and how He designed everything to work together. It’s also amazing to think about how He’s provided so much of what we need to heal our bodies in the form of nutrition.
My first visit with Barbara was an initial consultation which included Nutrition Response Therapy, a health express analysis, and body composition. This assessment lasted about three hours and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced. For example, during the nutrition response testing, she rested vials on my stomach (which contained an array of foods, chemicals and supplements), and then used the reflexes in my arm to determine which of my organs were under stress, as well as my nutritional sensitivities and deficiencies. It sounds totally weird, but the way she explains it as she walks through the testing makes complete sense. For a more thorough explanation of Nutrition Response Therapy and all that it entails, click this link here.
My second appointment with Barbara was a few days later, which she calls the “Report of Findings,” and I was given a detailed overview of my nutrition status. She found that my body does not process the following foods well and recommended that I eliminate them from my diet:
- Grains (all kinds, even ones that are gluten free like oats, quinoa, rice, etc.)
- Dairy
- Soy
- Nuts (I have a severe peanut allergy so this was no surprise)
- Sugar/Artificial Sweeteners
- Beans/Legumes
- Caffeine
A nutrition program was then provided, which included recommendations for nutritional supplements and Nutrition Coaching for whole food options for my health restoration and maintenance success.
It was a lot of information to digest and a bit overwhelming if I’m being honest. Of course, I naturally began to focus on the foods she told me I couldn’t have, instead of what I COULD have. The really tough one for me was dairy. I put cheese on anything and everything. I mean, my ideal day would be spent sitting at Sweet Grass Dairy grazing on cheese boards. But as we began to talk more, she explained to me that what I COULD have was vastly greater than what I couldn’t. I really just needed to shift my perspective and look at this as a new journey and life adventure.
Nervous yet excited for the challenge, I took her recommendations seriously and began putting them into practice immediately. I started searching for Whole30 and Paleo recipes on Pinterest (she did not tell me to follow these diets, but based on my assessment of what I needed to be eating/avoiding really aligned well with these programs), and also began to experiment on some of my “tried and true” recipes to figure out how to make them fit in my new guidelines. So what did I eat? All organic, non-GMO protein, tons and tons of non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats (like avocado) and low sugar fruit on occasion (like blueberries, strawberries, etc.). I focused on building my plates like this:
In addition to the major diet changes, Barbara also put me on a variety of whole food supplements that did a number of things like aid in digestion, process carbohydrates, support liver and pancreas function, etc. It’s important to note that these supplements were not intended to treat or cure infertility and there purpose was to support my overall health needs. In fact, I have a friend who also has PCOS who has now seen Barbara and not one of her supplements were the same as mine.
During my testing, she also found that I had a sensitivity to fragrances and there were a number of chemicals present in my system which was also contributing to the hormonal imbalance and causing certain organs to be under stress. While I was already using non-toxic laundry detergent, dish soap and household cleaners, she also encouraged me to switch to non-toxic and fragrance free soaps, shampoo, deodorant (this one is hands down the best), lotions and makeup. Basically, I got really crunchy. 🙂
While I do feel like God’s blessed me with the gift of discipline, I was also VERY motivated by the desire to get pregnant. I knew there was no guarantee this would work, but I approached it with an open mind and optimistic spirit. In terms of the eating, the first week was the toughest as I adjusted to the new routine and my body began to “detox” from going without sugar. The caffeine was not an issue for me because I had actually given it up years ago (I have anxiety and caffeine triggers panic attacks for me). Barbara had me keep a food log of EVERYTHING I ate as well as a record of all my bowel movements and what they looked like (yep). I started seeing her bi-weekly and we’d review my food log, bowel movements and then she would test me again (the arm reflex testing) to see how my body was responding to the new diet/supplementation.
I have ALWAYS struggled with digestive issues (I’ve had two colonoscopies in my twenties) and within the first two weeks, I noticed a marked improvement. I wasn’t getting stomach aches anymore and I was now “going” once a day. A huge improvement for me! And after four weeks, I had lost 10 pounds. While my goal was not to lose a bunch of weight, it was a residual effect I certainly did not mind. I felt better about myself and had more energy and stamina than I had in a long time. Implementing Barbara’s recommendations gave me something GOOD to focus on instead of the infertility. I told myself when I started all of this that I would truly devote at least six months to this natural/alternative route and then if it didn’t work, I would go back and see the fertility specialist. I figured I had nothing to lose and that if anything, at least I was moving my body to a more healthy state to better handle fertility medications or IVF treatments.
After five weeks of living this newfound lifestyle, we conceived! Naturally. Our prayer was answered. I couldn’t believe it happened so fast. But God…. He makes all things beautiful in His perfect timing.
Here’s where I really want to encourage you: If you are not getting healthier (whether it’s with infertility or some other limitation) doing what you are currently doing, then keep looking for the right practitioner who can help you. God created us all individually so not every doctor/practitioner and treatment plan is the perfect fit for every patient, and vice versa. I’ve had many friends who have successfully conceived after taking fertility drugs and I praise God for that. However, when they weren’t working for me, I continued to search and pray for another route. I want to encourage you to not give up and leave you with these truths to cling to:
- God is sovereign over all the details of your life.
- He knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30), the thoughts you think, when you sit and when you rise, and the days ahead (Psalm 139). Rest in the fact that God is in charge of your life and He cares deeply about what you’re going through – whether it be infertility or some other difficult season.
- God is faithful and His plans for you are good.
- As someone who struggles with anxiety, I have to constantly remind myself of this. I can easily get caught up in the waves of worry where fear takes over and before I know it, I’ve spiraled into a dark place. But when I choose to focus on God and His promises, I am filled with hope and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
- God’s timing and ways are better than ours.
- My godmother always encourages me to look at my “disappointments” as “divine appointments” with God. While I certainly would not have chosen to walk the path of infertility, Jesus met me in my suffering and produced a deep sense of contentment and thankfulness in me that I could have never achieved on my own. The experience will always be a part of me and I’m grateful for the way it has altered the values of my heart and taught me to “lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge Him so that He can lead my path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If you have any questions about my experience, you can email me at mycahbhunter@gmail.com. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have!
PS – It’s been five years since I wrote this post and wanted to add a quick note as I’m often asked if I still eat this way and the answer is YES! Removing those foods from my diet that Barbara suggested has changed my life in the BEST way! I honestly do not miss them at all. I do my best to eat clean, whole and nourishing foods that fuel my body and prevent disease the majority of the time, while still allowing myself to indulge on occasion and not feel guilty when I do. 🙂 If you’d like some of my go-to healthy recipes read this post here.
Photography: Red Fly Studio
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