Many people with Lyme develop difficulty digesting common foods. I have always had unexplained GERD (Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease). I have struggled with it since I was a child. Doctors never knew why. I think it is due to Lyme. They have never been able to give me a good reason why my esophageal sphincter doesn’t close.  No not your butt one! the one above your stomach. It is a sphincter too.

No Wheat 

I dont know if it is gluten or just wheat, but if I eat wheat my joints are painful, my face and eyes are puffy, my body is generally puffy, my podge sticks out, my reflux and asthma acts up. I am exhausted, and feel like I have a hangover.

For the past six years I have learned to never cheat on this, it is so not worth it!

Six years ago, when I started feeling joint pain, migraines, fatigue, brain fog, asthma and indigestion, I stumbled on a Wheat Belly be skinny type article. I was shocked to see that all my ailments were possibly aggravated by stupid wheat!

More importantly, when I did cut it out, I saw my fibro type symptoms nearly disappear. It was all inflammation.

Whole body inflammation, which in time (and I know its true because of my 74 year old Mom who’s knees, shoulders, wrists, and back have all had surgeries by now).

In time will destroy your ligaments and joints. The stomach acid will cause asthma, and erode your esophagus.

Sugar

I limit all added sugar, and even did a strict candida-fighting diet for one month. It really helped.

Today, when I eat too much sugar, body pain, fatigue, and acid stomach appear. If you have Lyme, you have to remember you are not normal. Your goal is to eat NO added sugar.

It is hard for me.

When I splurge, I try a bite or two of cake instead of a piece. I eat a doughnut hole instead of a doughnut. I have a few sips of dry white wine, then pass it across the table to my dinner companion.

Animal Protien

About a year before I was treated for Lyme, I found myself having a lot of motility issues. It was like my digestion would freeze for days, then suddenly work out of the blue. Through a lot of reading and an ultrasound that gave me a few clues, I decided to try to stimulate my gallbladder function.

I avoided most animal proteins/fats — no eggs, or meat. I did still consume a little dairy, but dialed back on cheese. Cutting these lightened the load on my digestion.

I limited and started cooking goitrogenics, which are known to ultimately slow the thyroid and ultimately, digestion. For me that meant not eating that delicious raw kale salad 3 times a week, and making brussle sprouts for supper, and eating so much arugula in between.

I started eating an apple a day, and drinking a glass of apple cider vinegar in water, particularly if I had cheated and eaten a fat.

I also started popping a couple Beano tablets before eating. They don’t just control gas, they contain digestive enzymes. Eventually, my digestion improved, even before Lyme treatment.

Today, if I am going to eat a steak, I definitely take Beano, and follow it up with the apple cider vinegar to aid fat breakdown. My partner has genetically high cholesterol, so now he does the same!