Living with endometriosis and adenomyosis completely changed the way I think about food.
Not in a restrictive, all-or-nothing way.
But in a much more intentional, “what actually makes my body feel good?” kind of way.
Because when you live with chronic illness, you don’t have the luxury of ignoring how your body responds.
This is what I’ve learned.
Listening To My Body (Even When I Didn’t Want To)
Before I was even diagnosed, things got really bad.
I was breaking out in hives constantly, reacting to what felt like everything, and I had no real understanding of what was going on.
Looking back, my body was trying to tell me something.
I just didn’t have the answers yet.
Going Gluten And Dairy Free (The Hard Reality)
At one point, I tried cutting out gluten and dairy completely.
And honestly… it wasn’t easy.
There weren’t many options, and most of them were things like gluten-free bread and pasta.
It didn’t feel balanced.
It didn’t feel sustainable.
It actually made life harder in a lot of ways:
- Eating out became stressful
- Socialising felt restrictive
- I constantly felt like I was “missing out”
And on top of that, a lot of gluten-free snacks were high in sugar… which ended up making me gain weight and feel worse in a different way.
So even though I was trying to help my body, it didn’t feel like it was actually working.
After My Diagnosis: A More Realistic Approach
I was properly diagnosed around five years ago, and that changed everything.
Not just because I had answers, but because I could finally start building a way of living that actually worked for me.
I stopped trying to follow a perfect diet and started focusing on balance.
What I Do Now
Now, I try to eat as naturally as possible.
Whole foods.
Simple ingredients.
Things that don’t leave me feeling worse after.
I still limit gluten and dairy because I know how my body reacts to them.
But I don’t cut them out completely.
If I’m out with friends, travelling, or just enjoying life…I’ll have them.
Just not all the time.
Now it’s more like 2–3 times a month instead of every day.
And that’s what makes it sustainable.
Alcohol, Social Life & Finding Balance
Food wasn’t the only thing I had to rethink.
Alcohol was a big one too.
At one point, I completely gave it up.
Which sounds great in theory…but in reality, it was hard.
I had just moved to Dubai, where so much of socialising and networking happens around going out.
I remember going to a boat party and only drinking Coke Zero while everyone else was drinking.
And although I knew I was doing it for my health, it felt isolating.
Eventually, I realised that cutting everything out completely wasn’t working for me.
So I reintroduced alcohol… but in moderation.
And that’s been a much better balance.
The Impact
Since making these changes, I’ve noticed:
- Less bloating
- Less digestive discomfort
- Fewer flare-ups (especially bowel-related)
- A better relationship with food and my body
But more than anything…
I feel like I’ve found a way to support my body without sacrificing my life.
What I’ve Learned
There’s no perfect diet when it comes to chronic illness.
And being overly restrictive doesn’t always equal better.
For me, it’s been about:
- eating more whole foods
- understanding my triggers
- making intentional choices
- allowing flexibility when I need it
Final Thoughts
I’m still figuring it out.
Some days I eat really well and still feel awful.
Other days I don’t, and I feel fine.
But overall, being more mindful with what I eat
has made a difference.
And that’s enough for me to keep going.
If you’re navigating something similar…
just know you’re not alone 🤍