Transplant patients say the food they eat is like medicine

TAMPA, Fla. — March is National Nutrition Month, and Tampa Bay resident Belinda Rodebaugh said the food she eats is like medicine.

Rodebaugh said she started eating organic food after experiencing a life-threatening situation.

“I woke up one morning and found that overnight my legs had turned into elephant legs,” she said.

In 1995, Rodebaugh was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Doctors told her it was due to diabetes she was diagnosed with at age five.

Thirteen years ago, she underwent a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant, which she says helped cure her diabetes.

Now she avoids germs and eats healthy.

Organic food is expensive and it's difficult for most people to stick to certified organic products, but Rodebaugh claims his diet helps extend the life of his organs.

“A lot of the chemicals that are being sprayed on our food today are associated with disease and cancer,” she says. “Obviously, your organs aren't going to last very long because everything you eat and everything you do can take a toll on your body.”

She buys organic produce such as raspberries and blackberries from certain grocery stores, but also has a garden at home.

“It's a great source of magnesium, so mix it with raspberries. Nutritionally, it's a good thing to include in your diet,” she said.

According to the U.S. Department of AgricultureProduce can be labeled organic if it's certified to have been grown in soil that hasn't been treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides in the three years prior to harvest. The USDA also has other guidelines for organic meats, processed foods, and foods with multiple ingredients.

Rodebaugh also said it's important to read the ingredients on the back of products at the grocery store to find healthier options, including olive oil.

“So it's one farm that made this, so you can tell they take pride in what they do,” she said.

She believes what she's buying is more than just food and medicine — it's what you need to survive.

Rodebaugh started her own business as a wellness consultant to help others live a healthier lifestyle.