I woke up this morning feeling awful. It's Sunday, when I usually jump out of bed, brew coffee, and catch up on what didn’t get done during the week. So why am I feeling so terrible today? You might wonder why I’m sharing a story about how the food I ate caused this pain and inflammation—and why it should matter to you. Trust me, if you keep reading, you could avoid the unnecessary pain I endured by simply understanding the effects of toxic foods on your body.

It all began in 2018 when I accepted a 45-day challenge to transform my health. I was determined to break free from bad habits, stop yo-yo dieting, and take control of my weight loss and overall health. You might be wondering, how did I get here? It’s a journey that started long before 2018, deeply connected to how we all grow up and the foods we eat.

I’ve battled with my weight for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my family ate a lot of heavy, fried foods—meat, mashed potatoes, pasta, and cheese-covered dishes—without a fresh vegetable in sight. Fruits were rare because they didn’t fit into our budget. Naturally, when I became a parent, I cooked the same way for my family, unknowingly continuing the cycle of unhealthy, toxic food choices that only led to more pain, inflammation, and weight gain.

By February, I had decided it was time for a drastic change. I cut out toxic foods and started eating clean. But here I was, waking up with swollen joints, aching pain, and a headache that wouldn’t quit. So, what happened?

The night before, my husband and I ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We don't eat out much because it’s hard to control how food is prepared, the ingredients used, and portion sizes. But we figured one meal wouldn’t hurt. We even splurged on a small Blue Moon beer with our meal. It didn’t seem like a big deal—after all, what harm could one meal do?

As I found out the following day, that meal wasn’t as harmless as I thought. It contained some of the very toxic foods that my body, particularly my genetic makeup, doesn't tolerate well. That beer I enjoyed? It’s made from WHEAT, a grain that triggers extreme inflammation in my gut. I didn’t even have to eat a slice of bread; the wheat in the beer was enough to cause significant inflammation, leading to 48 hours of intense pain.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this health journey, it's that once you decide to eliminate toxic foods and focus on clean eating, you must stick with it. Even a tiny cheat can undo weeks of progress. The pain and inflammation I experienced from that one meal reminded me of how fragile our bodies can be when we fill them with the wrong foods. Toxic foods don't just affect weight loss; they can lead to serious inflammation, joint pain, and a lack of energy that steals your joy.

“So here’s my advice: once you start eating clean and using supplements tailored to your health needs, stick with it. Cheating—even a little—can undo all the good work you’ve done. It can take weeks for your body to detox and return to feeling great, with more energy, less pain, and better sleep.”

If you're curious about clean eating and how to avoid toxic foods that cause pain and inflammation, join the Facebook group where it all began. Answer all of the questions so that I can direct you to the right information for you specifically and tell them Carla sent you.

I’d love to help you get started. In the meantime, share this post with friends and family. Don’t let them unknowingly eat their way into inflammation, pain, and long-term health problems. It’s simply not worth it for a few minutes of indulgence.