How an Ice Cream Cone Motivates Me to Eat Good Things

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In 2017, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At 50, it’s the kind of news that makes you take a hard look at your fridge… and your life. I discovered the Wahls Protocol, and boom: less stomach pain, digestion that stopped acting like a diva, I was on cloud nine (an organic one, naturally).

2020: The Year of Miss Vickie’s

Then, 2020 hit. You know, that year when we were all stuck in a low-budget apocalyptic movie? With my teens at home 24/7, my dietary discipline went out the window. Miss Vickie’s chips – those little bombs of salt and flavor – became my kryptonite. I devoured entire bags, like I was on a mission to clear out the grocery store shelves. Let’s be real, 2020 was tough for everyone, and we all have our breakdown stories (share yours in the comments, I need a laugh!).

The Carnivore Diet: My Rebirth

Fast forward to 2024: I took back control with the carnivore diet, the trend that was all over the place. The goal? Zero carbs to tame the inflammation in my body. I’m not a doctor, just a woman trying to figure out why my body’s been throwing tantrums since my 20s (symptoms were there long before the diagnosis, but whatever). Result? This winter was the least awful in over a decade. More energy, less pain, I was almost feeling like a superhero… ribeye edition.

Vagal Shock: When My Body Says “NOPE”

But, because there’s always a catch, I’m not perfect. Enter vagal shocks. What’s that, you ask? Picture your vagus nerve – the cable linking your brain to your organs – throwing a fit because you fed it something it deems unacceptable. Result: blood pressure plummets, head spins, and sometimes, you take an unscheduled nap (aka you pass out). My body’s like, “Sugar? Oh, honey, we’re gonna have a talk.”

The Fatal Ice Cream Cone of August 2024

Take this example. August 2024. After a perfectly sensible dinner, I thought, “A little ice cream cone won’t hurt, right?” Big mistake. At 9 p.m., on the patio, watching a video on my laptop, my vision starts spinning like I just got off a rollercoaster. I closed my eyes, shut the laptop, and… blackout. My husband, from the dining room, heard a weird noise. That was me, slumped in my chair, unconscious. Lucky I was seated, or the headlines would’ve screamed: “Woman Taken Out by a Vanilla-Chocolate Cone.”

When I came to, I was a wreck. It took me an hour to muster enough energy to stand, with my husband, in silent hero mode, debating whether to call an ambulance while watching me like a hawk. My stomach was screaming, “THE CONE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?” Cramps, wobbly legs, I made it to the bathroom thanks to his strong arms.

The Leclerc Cookies: September’s Lesson

The craziest part? A few hours later, I was almost normal, like my body just wanted to teach me a lesson. But, stubborn as a mule, I tried again in September. This time, it was four tiny Leclerc cookies with chocolate. Four. Tiny. Cookies. Result? Cramps straight out of a horror movie and another near-faint, dodged thanks to my husband catching me like a pro.

My Body, the Food Snob

I talked to a pharmacist friend, a carnivore diet enthusiast. His take? My body’s turned into a food snob. After months of eating only meat, it refuses to negotiate with sugar, MSG (monosodium glutamate, hello steak spices!), or anything that doesn’t pass its quality control. Apparently, it’s normal… or at least, my new normal.

Why I Scrutinize Every Ingredient

So, why do I say no to certain foods? Because my body’s a ruthless food critic. An ice cream cone? Blackout. Cookies? Cramps. Miss Vickie’s? Bad idea. Sketchy spices? Curtains. Every ingredient now gets a thorough inspection, because I really don’t want to replay the patio scene.

Listen to Your Body (It’s Smarter Than You)

Moral of the story: listen to your body, it’s often smarter than you. Got any vagal shock stories or food fails (Miss Vickie’s, anyone?)? Spill the beans in the comments. We laugh, we learn, and we survive together, right?