I didn’t know I had an autoimmune disorder until I was in my late twenties, when I started playing around with different diets and ways of eating. Before this I ate your standard 20-year-old diet: Lots of fast food and soda, an occasional salad, and lots of alcohol. Do you also sometimes wonder how your body could handle all that week after week?

Once I started paying attention to nutrients my body really started to change from the inside, in a good way AND a*different* way. I did a food sensitivity elimination program, Whole30 and this one, that taught me how certain foods, the most common food allergens, worked in my own body. Every body is different, so it’s great way to learn how real food can work for YOU, as an individual. It was an eye opening program, and I learned some very valuable lessons during those 30 days. One simple habit was food journaling; something you can do in minutes a day that can be a very helpful to your progress in controlling your autoimmune symptoms or your weight loss or tummy troubles.

Here’s how it works (if it’s not obvious). Grab a notebook or your phones notepad and write down every single thing that you consume. Food, drink, water, edibles, etc., anything that goes into your mouth and to your tummy – write it all down. I know sometimes it’s hard to be honest with ourselves when we have to actually put it out there and on to paper when we’re busy judging our choices, but it’s important!! Seeing every last thing will help us make better connections.

In addition to the list of things you ate, write down any symptoms you feel before/during/after you eat things. Immediate feelings like tummy aches, gas, sleepiness – write them down. PLUS, in the coming days if you notice random symptoms, write those down too! Redness in your skin, itchiness, headaches, anything! There’s nothing off limits. It can also to be helpful to write when you have bowel movements and the start of your cycle (if you have one) so you can truly learn your body!

I made some journal pages to get you started. Every BODY is different, it will change your life to learn how yours works day to day using the fuel you provide it! Fill in each day as you consume food and drinks, then at the end of the week look back to see what connections you can make! Symptoms may be subtle or hard to connect in the beginning, so keep going and it will be more obvious! Only about 20% of the world’s population has food sensitivities, and 15% of the population deals with autoimmune issues. If you are part of the 15% it’s worth a shot to see if food changes help your symptoms.