EAT your MEDICINE

Let me tell you something that shook me to my organic-loving core:

Food is medicine.

And when you’re living with something as brutal and unpredictable as Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), that phrase isn’t just a cute wellness mantra — it’s a battle plan.

Nicknamed the “suicide disease,” TN is relentless. It doesn’t care if you’ve slept or smiled or even breathed the wrong way. A gust of wind or a spoonful of food can send electric shocks detonating through your face. Relief often feels like a fantasy.

But here’s what I’ve learned: while TN has no cure (yet), my body is still a powerful ally. And real, whole, colorful food — earthy, juicy, squishy, soft, and sacred — has become one of my fiercest tools in the toolbox.

🥗 The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: A Healing Philosophy

TN is a disease of the nervous system, and inflammation is its ride-or-die. That’s why I follow an anti-inflammatory diet — not as a trend, but as a strategy. The goal? Calm the nervous system, lower systemic inflammation, and create an environment where healing is possible.

This approach blew up in the wellness world thanks to NFL legend Tom Brady, who swears by it to reduce strain, speed recovery, and keep his body functioning like it’s still 1999. But you don’t need to throw a football to benefit from it — this way of eating supports anyone living with chronic illness or pain.

What I focus on:

• 🫐 Berries, leafy greens, fatty fish, and healthy fats

• 🌿 Herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic

• 🌾 Whole foods rich in fiber and color

• 💧 Hydration and herbal teas for circulation and calm - Pro Tip - add electrolytes to your water… constantly. Your on medication.

What I try to avoid (without being a perfectionist):

• Refined sugar & white flour

• Processed meats & fried foods

• Seed oils (canola, soybean, etc.)

• Basically anything that comes in shiny plastic and never expires… or anything white.

✨ Soft Foods for the Win (When Chewing Feels Like Electrocution)

If you’ve ever had a TN flare triggered by chewing, you know the terror of biting into something too crunchy. But soft foods can still be healing, powerful, and — yes — totally delicious.

Here are some gentle, nutrient-dense go-to’s that don’t piss off my trigeminal nerve:

• Greek yogurt with blueberries & honey – probiotics + antioxidants + soft = a dream

• Rice and black beans with avocado – complete protein, fiber, and creamy comfort

• Mashed sweet potatoes – naturally sweet, magnesium-rich, and totally soothing

• Smoothies – banana + spinach + flaxseed + berries + almond milk = magic potion. (use yogurt/water instead of ice if you also cant do cold)

• Oatmeal with cinnamon and chia – gut-friendly, warming, and calming

• Bone broth with blended veggies – gut-healing and protein-rich- plus add anything you want

• Scrambled eggs with turmeric & wilted spinach – soft, savory, and satisfying

When the pain is high, nutrition doesn’t need to stop — it just needs to be blended a little. 😉

🧠 Gut Health = Nerve Health

Here’s a nerdy fact that changed my life: your gut has more nerves than your spinal cord. That means when your gut is inflamed, confused, or depleted, it sends distress signals straight to your brain — and to your nerves.

When I started healing my gut, my TN flares didn’t disappear overnight… but they shifted. The severity changed. The recovery time shortened. That’s not wishful thinking — that’s microbiome science, baby.

🍽️ Food is Empowerment, Not Punishment

For most of my life, food was about control. Or comfort. Or guilt. Or just plain survival.

Now? It’s sacred. It’s how I fight. It’s how I show up for my body — even when it’s screaming. Especially when it’s screaming.

Every bite is a love letter. Every anti-inflammatory meal is a spell I cast in my own favor. It’s me saying to my nervous system: I’ve got you. We’re doing this together.

❤️ Final Bite

If you’re living with chronic pain — TN or otherwise — know this: You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need to green juice your way into sainthood. But every small choice matters. Every piece of broccoli is a rebellion. Every turmeric tea is an act of defiance. Every soft, nourishing meal is a declaration:

I deserve to be well. I deserve to be nourished. I’m still here.

So yes, eat your medicine. Chew it slowly. Season it with hope. Feed your fight.

You’re worth it. Every damn bite.

With Love,

Dana & Nicky