Love your guts

Firstly, don’t you just hate the word ‘diet’. I do. It screams ‘unmaintainable’ and I just know that for me personally as soon as I tell myself I can’t have something – I want it. Instead of being on a diet I like to think of it as making ‘smart food choices’.

Today I’m going to share the ‘smart food choices’ I’ve been making for the last few weeks that have really changed how I feel in my gut, and have also improved my skin. It’s a bit of a journey so settle in…

Note: I am always super reluctant to share my diet and exercise in detail on social media purely for the fact that I believe everyone is different and you really need to find what works for you. This blog is just me sharing my journey – not preaching about what you should do.

I’ve been having some major skin issues for the last year and a half after coming off the pill because of migraines. For someone who’s had reasonably clear skin for close to ten years, it’s been really hard to deal with. I’ve seen numerous beauty therapists, dermatologists, doctors, changed my skin care regime a million times, and I think I’ve shed just as many tears.

I found that most of the people I saw for advice offered me ‘quick fixes’ or ‘topical’ solutions and I felt like I wasn’t getting to the root of the problem. It also made me realise that I knew nothing about skin and was relying on the supposed ‘expertise’ of others. I guess the problem was the specialists I was seeing weren’t really taking a full body or holistic approach. After this realisation I went on a mission of education myself to get to the bottom of my skin issues.

I researched the pill, I read about hormones, I read about environmental factors, ageing, and diet, and in my readings I came across the Chinese face map. It suggests that breakouts in certain areas of your face can be tell tale signs about whats happening inside your body. I have found that most of my breakouts are usually (not always) concentrated around my forehead which apparently suggests gut issues. I’m a pretty healthy person so that confused me and I went into more research about diet and the types of foods I was eating. That’s when I came across the blood type diet.

The blood type diet outlines beneficial, neutral, and foods to avoid based on your blood type. I am type AB blood which is the newest of the blood types and rare (about 5% of the population). AB blood is characterised by low stomach acid which means I struggle to digest certain foods. My list told me to avoid foods including chicken, avocado, bananas, and apple cider vinegar – literally the base of my diet. Mind. Blown.

I decided to give the blood type diet a go and I’ve been following a semi-strict meal plan focusing on seafood, dairy, green vegetables and heaps of water for over two weeks. I have seen an improvement in my skin but also in my gut health. I feel lighter, less sluggish, more energetic, clearer in my head, and the other cool thing – my abdominals are more defined (hehe).

As type AB blood I have been flowing the below meal plan:

Breakfast:

Oats with water and a dash of skim milk topped with kiwi fruit, walnuts and cinnamon or a 2 egg omelette with mushrooms and spinach

Snack: Rice cakes topped with cottage cheese and tomato

Lunch: Brown rice sushi with tuna or a bowl of brown rice, tuna and veggies

Dinner: Salmon or turkey mince and veggies (mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot) with sweet potato fries (home made)

Drinks: 1 x coffee with skim milk, camomile tea and lots of water

I have also been continuing with my probiotic and fish oil supplements.

If you want to read more about the blood type diet visit: www.drlam.com and look up your blood type.

I find it amazing that our bodies are literally telling us what’s wrong but sometimes we just don’t listen. I believe more than ever that beauty and health starts from the inside and so much is connected to our gut health.

In saying that, as well as taking care of yourself on the inside it’s also important to take care of yourself on the outside (especially as you get older like me!).

In terms of my skin I have always been pretty crappy at following a regime and using decent products so I put my trust in the ladies at Laser Skin Clinics. They’ve found me a super basic and easy to follow routine using quality products from the O Cosmetics range. This is an Aussie brand and pretty amazing.

I’ve started using a salicylic acid face wash which has changed my life. I always feel like I want to scrub my face after wearing makeup and sweating all day but this wash actually makes me feel clean! I’ve also had gentle micros and red light treatments which I absolutely love.

– Micros (microdermabrasions) basically scratch off the dead and dull surface layers of the skin and in turn stimulate collagen production and rejuvenation. In the non creepiest way possible, it feels soooooo amazing to have your face scratched off…

– Red light therapy emits red, low light wavelengths through the skin to stimulate cellular rejuvenation, increase blood flow and stimulate collagen. You basically lie under a warm red light for 10-15min and nap. There really isn’t anything better…

And I can’t believe I’m posting this but here we go…ewwwwwwwwwwww.

​

So that’s been my little skin journey so far. I’m not saying any of this will work for you as, unfortunately, I’ve also come to the realisation that everyone is different and it really is a case of trial and error. Take apple cider vinegar for example. I’ve been drinking that in the morning because I read somewhere that it was good for you. As an AB blood type I should avoid all vinegar because it’s a gastric irritant and inhibits proper digestive function!

If you are interested in trying the blood type diet I encourage you to educate yourself on the science behind it and the food lists suitable to your blood type and then visit your doctor or nutritionist before you start your own journey.

I’ve still got a while to go but for now – something is starting to work! Yay!

Lots of love. Stay happy and healthy.