Caveat

Most people subcribe to the philosophy that ignorance is bliss. Why? Because what you don’t know can’t hurt you.

If we look at that statement from a philosophical perspective, it’s almost true. If you don’t know what’s causing you pain or illness, that particular thing isn’t what’s hurting you. It can’t be. What you don’t know, you don’t know.

Does your brain hurt yet?

Mine does. But not from thinking about the above. From trying to avoid all the things that may potentially hurt me.

I have one kid who has an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts and tree nuts, another has a severe allergy to sesame seeds. And now I’m trying to figure out how my kids will not waste away on a nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free diet. Why am I driving myself crazy? Because I know what will hurt them. And I won’t ignore it.

I took my kids for preventative blood work that indicate they have sensitivities to the above foods (on top of their “true allergies.”) Unlike allergies, food sensitivities don’t create an immediate, life-threatening response. Instead, by ingesting foods you’re intolerant to, you are potentially causing long-term damage leading to chronic illness. (Read this article, which is a pretty good layperson’s explanation of the difference and the impact of eating foods you’re sensitive to. It’s long, but make sure you read all the way down.)

Do you fart a lot? Wake up with a bloated belly or nasty reflux? Make too much poop or not enough? Yeast infections? Acne? Irritability? Trouble focusing? WAKE UP! These are all symptoms of food intolerance. I’m not diagnosing you here, but I’m suggesting you give up the philosophy that ignorance is bliss.

If you want, you can spend the next few years pretending it’s not the food you eat. You can say things like, “But I eat cheese at every meal” or “It’s only a little lactose intolerance” or “Milk is the only thing she will drink.” 

All blissful cop outs. 

Meanwhile, I’m sneaking fish oil and rice protein into fruit smoothies. I’m hiding probiotic powder in rice cereal. I’m flossing baby teeth and slathering skin with Badger Balm. I’m doing all of this on an average of five hours of sleep a night and a diet of vegetables and dirt, as my friend Marc would say. (But, I look awesome, my husband chimes in. He’s right. I’ve lost weight and my skin is so soft.)

Like you, sometimes I just “don’t want to know.” But it’s too late for me. And, frankly, too late for you if you’re reading this.

Knowing is like taking a peek into Pandora’s box. You can’t. Once it’s opened, it’s unleashed.