What If You Could Gain More Spoons? Reclaiming Energy from Histamine and Mast Cell Overload
- histaminehavenmave
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
The Spoon Theory was created by Christine Miserandino in 2003 to explain what it’s like to live with chronic illness and limited energy.
Christine has lupus, and one day while chatting with a friend at a diner, she grabbed a handful of spoons to illustrate how she has to carefully ration her energy each day.
Each spoon represented a unit of energy.
As Christine explained it, daily tasks—getting out of bed, showering, making food—each cost a spoon. Once the spoons were gone, so was her capacity to function. She had to make hard choices about what she could and couldn’t do each day, all while appearing “fine” on the outside.
This metaphor struck a chord. Millions of people with chronic illness finally had a way to explain their invisible struggle.
The Power—and the Limits—of the Spoon Theory
The Spoon Theory is brilliant for making chronic fatigue visible. It helps others understand what you’re dealing with. It validates your experience.
But here’s something that often gets left out: you’re not stuck with a limited number of spoons forever.
Yes, your energy may feel depleted right now. Yes, you might wake up each day already in survival mode. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
The Spoon Theory explains where you are—not where you’re destined to remain.
Living with Energy Rationing
Imagine waking up with only 10 spoons.
Showering? That’s 1 spoon. (2 if you wash your hair.)
Getting dressed? 1 spoon.
Cooking and eating a nourishing meal? 3 spoons.
You’re already halfway through your energy—and the day has just begun.
With only five spoons left, how do you prioritize what matters? How do you care for yourself when just getting through the day feels like too much?
This is the exhausting reality for so many with chronic illness. And for some, even rest doesn’t restore energy. Naps might not help. A full night’s sleep might still leave you empty.
That’s where the Spoon Theory is powerful—it gives words to the constant decisions, trade-offs, and invisible labour of daily life with limited energy.
But Here's the Shift: You Can Gain More Spoons
While the Spoon Theory helps you explain your present energy challenges, we want you to know that getting better is possible. There are tools that can help your body rebuild energy capacity.
You can support your mitochondria. You can reduce the inflammation that’s draining your energy. You can calm the mast cells that keep your nervous system in overdrive.
You don’t have to accept energy poverty as your lifelong reality.
The Mast Cell & Histamine Connection
Fatigue is a hallmark symptom of many histamine- and mast cell-related conditions.
One study found that 54% of people with mastocytosis experience fatigue, while none of the healthy participants did. Mast cells and histamine aren’t just skin or allergy issues—they deeply affect your energy systems.
Conditions like:
These conditions have all shown connections to histamine and mast cell involvement. This means that if you’re constantly exhausted, there could be a biological reason, not a personal failing. That alone can be a massive relief—and a first step toward hope.
Practical Steps to Reclaim Energy (a.k.a. Gain More Spoons)
If energy is your currency, here’s how to start saving—and earning—more:
✅ Nourish your body with real food
A body running on processed food is like a phone stuck at 20%. Nutrient-dense foods—especially low histamine vegetables and high-quality animal proteins—are key for cellular energy. Even breakfast should include protein and vegetables to start your day strong.
✅ Ask for help
Spoon conservation starts with delegation. Could a friend or family member make a big batch of low-histamine soup or stew? Freeze individual portions to stay ahead of histamine build-up and avoid last-minute cooking.
✅ Use delivery and tech to your advantage
Grocery delivery is a spoon-saver. Many stores let you set up repeat orders, so you don’t even have to think about it. Choose a store with frozen meats to help lower histamine levels. Our Shopping List can guide your selections.
✅ Use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot
Cook meat straight from frozen, reduce cook time, and keep histamine content lower—all while saving energy. We have a recipe chart in our book.
✅ Work with a practitioner
If you react to many foods, even “healthy” ones, you may need to calm your mast cells before your diet can support your energy. Our cookbook and program are designed to help guide you gently through this process.
Spoonie Wisdom + Empowered Healing
Whether or not you identify as a spoonie, the concept can help you:
🌱 Understand your energy limits
💬 Communicate with others about what you're going through
📊 Monitor your progress over time
But remember: You can go beyond surviving each day.
The goal isn’t just to explain your limited energy—but to increase it.
A New Perspective on Fatigue
If you've been rationing energy for years, it might be hard to imagine having more. But here at Histamine Haven, we want to gently challenge that belief.
You don’t have to stay stuck in the Spoon Theory forever.
You can:
Calm inflammation
And give your body what it truly needs to heal
We sincerely hope that what we offer can help you gain more spoons—and more life—in the process. It's our goal here at Histamine Haven!
Has the idea of mast cells and the role your nervous system plays in to your deep fatigue piqued your interest?
Let's help you make sense of it all, and keep you moving along the road to recovery. Best spot to head next: sign up for our free webinar we call The Histamine Connection.
In this 90 minute session, we dive deep in to the role that histamine and mast cells play in your symptoms, exploring all potential areas of the body that can get impacted. But best of all, we get you started on solutions. You don't have to spend more spoons trying to figure this out on your own!
Register now for our next live webinar, and plan to join us live. It's always followed up by a Live Q&A. Replay will go out to all who register. See you there?
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