By Dawn Noble, Tend Customer & Wellness Advocate 🥗
We hear it all the time: you are what you eat. But for most of my life, I didn’t realise just how true that was—until my health forced me to listen.
A few years ago, I began experiencing pulsatile tinnitus—a relentless pulsing in my ears that matched my heartbeat. It disrupted my sleep, my concentration, and my sense of peace. And while there was no clear medical solution, one thing became immediately clear: what I put into my body had a profound effect on how I felt.
So I started paying attention. Really paying attention.
Food Isn’t Just Fuel—It’s Information
When you walk into a supermarket today, most of what’s on offer has been tampered with—chemically preserved, pumped with sugar, or made shelf-stable with ingredients you can’t pronounce. It’s food, yes. But it’s not nourishment.
Our bodies are constantly reacting to what we feed them. That doesn’t just show up in our energy levels or weight. It shows up in our skin, our sleep, our moods—even our ability to focus and recover.
I had already lived sugar-free for 30 years, but it wasn’t until I really committed to removing processed foods entirely that I noticed a shift in my body’s ability to cope with stress, inflammation, and sensory overwhelm.
The Gut-Brain Connection Is Real
When we think of mindfulness, we often picture yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. But what we eat is also a form of mindfulness.
Your gut and your brain are connected by a complex network of nerves, hormones, and immune signals. The bacteria in your gut influence how you feel—physically and emotionally. Diets high in processed sugar, seed oils, and additives disrupt that balance. And for someone living with a condition like pulsatile tinnitus, where the nervous system is already under strain, food can either fuel recovery or feed the fire.
What I Eat—and Why It Works
I’m not a doctor, but I know what’s worked for me:
🥗 Whole Foods Only – If it comes in plastic and has 15 ingredients, I don’t buy it. I cook every meal from scratch using real, simple ingredients.
🥩 No Sugar, Low Carb – I’ve lived sugar-free for decades. Cutting out refined carbs keeps my energy stable and my inflammation low.
🥬 Green, Colourful, and Natural – I fill my plate with vegetables, healthy fats, and clean proteins. If it’s good enough for the soil, it’s good enough for me.
🍵 Hydration & Herbal Support – I avoid fizzy drinks and stick to water, herbal teas, and mineral-rich broths. They calm my system and support digestion.
This way of eating hasn’t just helped manage my tinnitus—it’s changed how I move through the day. I sleep better. I think clearer. I feel grounded.
Food as a Form of Self-Respect
At first, I thought I was just “eating clean.” But now I realise it’s more than that.
It’s about how I respect my body. It’s about not feeding it things that make it sick. It’s about choosing peace over convenience.
We all know that the modern food system has shifted toward profit, not health. Supermarkets are filled with ultra-processed products designed to be addictive, not nourishing. But we can push back. We can reclaim our choices.
Mindful eating isn’t just about kale and kombucha—it’s about being present in how we nourish ourselves. And once you feel the difference, you’ll never want to go back.
How Tend Fits In
When I use Tend, it’s part of the same philosophy. It’s gentle, purposeful, and supports my body in a non-invasive way. I don’t use aggressive tools or try to force relief. I work with my body—not against it.
Tend fits into my evening routine, alongside calming meals, movement, and stillness. It’s not about a quick fix. It’s about consistency, and care.
Final Thoughts
We’re waking up. More and more people are beginning to realise that food isn’t just about fullness—it’s about healing.
If you’re struggling with chronic symptoms, anxiety, poor sleep, or just feeling off in your own skin, take a closer look at what’s on your plate. You might be surprised by what changes when you start eating with intention.
Because your body listens to everything you feed it.
And it deserves food that speaks kindness.