Joe makes some very good points.

I have tried eating Paleo and lasted only 2 days. I stopped after I ate a steak as big as a plate in addition to an entire plate of vegetables (I was planning on saving leftovers for the next day’s lunch). I was still hungry for more after eating these huge portions.

I broke the diet and ate some whole grains because I figured that if I’m that hungry, I’m not getting all the nutrition I need from the food I’m eating.

That said, I think eating mostly paleo is the best way to eat (mostly vegetables, a bit of meat and fish, and also a bit of grain), as long as you listen to your body and don’t get stressed out over it.

I actually wrote an article on eating paleo, if you’re interested check it out: http://dellaterrawellness.com/should-you-go-paleo/

Warmly,
Katerina

Hi Ginger,
It is great that you are in counseling and taking steps to take care of yourself. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, and it’s easy to get scared in life.
I could tell you not to worry, that you are young and you are being too hard on yourself, but that might not stop you from being worried.

Do you have a yoga or meditation practice? Or at least regular exercise? It’s incredible what transformations can happen in our minds when we start moving our bodies a bit more.

Do you have mentors you can talk to? If not, I would recommend finding some elders whom you trust to talk to.

I would also recommend reading books by Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Dalai Lama to give you the strength and tools to deal with your struggles.

As for the gastritis, that is not such a tragic diagnosis, though I understand how scary it can be to feel pain and not know why.
Do you eat mostly fresh vegetables, a few fruits, a little bit of organic meat, and occasional grains? This would be the ideal diet to keep you healthy. Avoid all processed foods, including sugar, white flour, and pre-packaged meals. Also avoid dairy as much as possible, and eat lots of leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and chard to give you your daily dose of calcium and other nutrients.

If there is an acupuncturist or community acupuncture clinic in your area I think it could do you a world of good. Acupuncture helps balance your body and mind so you can live a vibrant life.

I hope this helps! Good luck, and keep me posted how it goes!
-Katerina