Starch-Free Success Stories Guest Blog: Christina Elliot

A little while ago I stumbled upon Christina’s story. From the first few bits she shared, I could tell that her story was successful – and that she had a positive, proactive approach to wellness! She kindly let me dig a little deeper, and sure enough, another starch-free success story was born. She mentioned to me, “I don’t think I’m doing anything really unusual or amazing, but I have been able to manage my symptoms and live a fairly healthy, active, normal life without medications.”

For anyone who’s been in the throes of Ankylosing Spondylitis, living ‘a fairly healthy, active, normal life without medications’ seems entirely outside of reach, yet Christina’s story is yet another one that proves it’s doable and worthwhile!

What I love about her story is that it’s entirely relatable – a lengthy wait for a diagnosis, debilitating symptoms, and the journey of trial and error. Anyone who’s tried managing AS through diet and lifestyle modifications can tell you that the healing journey isn’t linear, but definitely worth the effort. Read Christina’s story below if you want a good dose of hope and inspiration!

Christina’s post is part of the “Starch-Free Success Stories” series. 

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The lead-up to a diagnosis

As a teenager, I seemed to endure many more health issues than my peers – tennis elbow, Bell’s palsy, recurrent tonsillitis, ulcers, severely dry eyes and frequent illnesses. By my mid-twenties I was feeling generally unwell and grappling with agonizing pain in my hips. Simple tasks, like getting dressed or walking to the bathroom, became lengthy, excruciating marathons that left me exhausted and in tears. Over the years, the pain spread to my lower and mid-back, neck, sternum and feet. At its worst, I survived on fragmented sleep, was chronically exhausted and often confined to my home in mental and physical anguish. I sought answers from countless practitioners: medical doctors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, massage therapists, physiotherapists. I tried everything that I thought might provide a remedy. Some treatments offered minor, temporary relief, but the pain was relentless.

Eventual diagnosis

Frustratingly, doctor after doctor found no physical cause. More than one prescribed antidepressant medication, suggesting my suffering was “all in my head.” I eventually stopped seeking their help, as my pain was consistently dismissed. Though years of being invalidated led to moments of self-doubt, treating my physical symptoms with antidepressants never felt right to me. It wasn’t until a bout of iritis in my right eye, over a decade later, that the pieces fell into place. An ophthalmologist ordered tests, noting that iritis rarely appears without an underlying condition or injury. When a rheumatologist diagnosed me with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) a few months later, calling me a “textbook case,” the relief of validation was overwhelming!

Non-linear healing

The past decade since my diagnosis has been a journey of trial and error. Some practices became cornerstones of my wellness routine; others I left behind. Early on, I found that medications provided little relief and often swapped one symptom for another, so I explored alternatives. Yoga, hiking, supplements, chiropractic care, breathwork, physiotherapy, trigger-point injections, intermittent fasting and red-light therapy all play roles in keeping me active and healthy today. But the single most impactful tool in my arsenal has been a low-starch diet.

The game-changing diet modification

I’ve always been mindful about food, generally cooking from scratch with whole foods and knowing exactly what’s in my meals. But eliminating starches was a serious game-changer. About five years ago, my naturopath suggested that a starch-free diet had helped some people with AS and encouraged me to try it. I was daunted by the idea but desperate for relief, so I decided to dive in. I started strictly—meat and leafy greens only—and within days, I started to feel like a new person! Weeks later my energy had soared, and my pain had plummeted. I maintained a strict starch-free diet for over a year before gradually reintroducing some starches, still eating healthily overall. Slowly, my symptoms crept back, and by last year, I was again caught in a cycle of frequent flares and debilitating pain.

Inspiration

During that time, I came across Janneke’s Starch Free Feasting site; the delicious recipes and inspiring success stories she shared reignited my commitment to a starch-free lifestyle. I returned to a strict approach and again saw dramatic improvements within days. Now, my diet centers on meat, eggs, low-starch vegetables (like lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli), berries, high-quality dairy, and nuts. It’s not always easy to stick to, and I’m not perfect. But I remind myself that I can “choose my hard.” For me, the challenge of a low-starch diet is far easier than the pain of AS flares.

Starch Free Feasting has provided me with several new favorite recipes and fresh inspiration for meal ideas. I love the Fruit and Nut Energy Loaf as fuel for my hikes and the Raspberry Bliss Bar when I crave a sweet treat. For dinner, my favorite meals include Crispy Parmesan Chicken with brussels sprouts, a lettuce-wrapped burger, pork schnitzel breaded in almond flour and parmesan, a hearty Cobb Salad, or stir-fried beef and cabbage with garlic, ginger, soya sauce and sesame seeds. My daily go-to’s include a smoothie packed with berries, spinach, and Greek yogurt, and a stash of beef jerky or macadamia nuts for snacking.

Pain and fear – powerful motivators

Through my journey with AS, I have come to find that living with the pain and fear of an illness can be a gift in a way – it has forced me to face my life head-on. I can’t settle for living in a way that doesn’t support me. I can’t work at a job that doesn’t align with my priorities. I can’t be in relationships that drain me. I can’t fill my body with foods that don’t support its function. AS has held me accountable to myself, pushing me to prioritize health, integrity and joy.

Deep healing

It also nudges me to dig deep into my emotional roots and heal what lies there. As I have gotten to know others with AS and similar autoimmune conditions, I have often noticed strikingly similar traits among us – perfectionistic, overly conscientious, and anxious. I don’t believe that’s the entire story, but an important piece of the puzzle. My flares now, which are relatively minor, are almost always triggered by emotional stress, motivating me to further explore and work to heal those inner layers. This realization has encouraged me to move towards a somewhat less rigid approach to my diet and wellness routines, which can fuel stress, and rather tune into my body’s needs while embracing ease and joy.

There’s hope. So much hope

My journey with AS isn’t over, but I’m living a full, active life, beyond what I once thought was attainable. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and I’m excited about the life I live today! To those struggling with chronic pain or a new diagnosis: keep searching for what works for you. Don’t let practitioners or others convince you that the only future available to you is one filled with pain, limited mobility and debilitating side effects. Our paths are all unique, but I firmly believe that with persistence and the right tools, you can reclaim your life!