Recently, after undergoing extensive medical testing, my doctor diagnosed me with celiac disease and autoimmune malabsorption.

This means my body rejects gluten and cannot naturally absorb essential vitamins such as B12.

It also means I am not supposed to eat traditional glazed doughnuts, pan pizza or crescent rolls ever again.

This makes me sad. It also makes me think. Before I stopped eating gluten four months ago, I vomited back much of what I ate. My muscles were weak. My head throbbed. Frightened, I went to doctors seeking answers. I prayed for healing.

Today, at the start of 2015, I better understand the problem and what I need to do to improve my health. In many ways, I already feel better. Unlike many of the diseases doctors tested me for, celiac is non-progressive when treated.

So why am I moping around mourning Belgian waffles?

Last weekend, Tricia Nelson, director of Roy Nelson Healing and an emotional eating expert, spoke at the Mindshare Summit in Tampa.

According to Nelson, people often use food to fill a spiritual hole.

I interviewed her about why people form attachments to food and how faith can make diet changes easier.

What do you view as the connection between healthy eating and spirituality?

Continued here:

Expert: Spirituality the answer to emotional eating