I'm sick... need help tweaking my diet

[eastkygal]

I have had some yucky symptoms lately and got them checked out by a full spectrum of blood work. It came back that I am sick. Without going into too many details, it's mostly glandular in nature. My doc asked me to stop eating dairy for 3 weeks. She is suspecting that I am having some problems with it. I do not have access to raw milk or dairy, and I eat pastuerized dairy... a lot of it. A really lot. Did I mention I love dairy??? It's my favorite of favorite foods. After 3 weeks we are going to put me back on it to see how my body reacts.
Then, there is my low blood sugar. It makes me feel funky alot. She is wanting me to eat every two hours. Definitely going no longer than 3. I'm a 3 meals a day no snacks kind of gal and lunch is very light. Usually a smoothie or some nuts. I don't know how to deal with this well. She is asking me not to do carbohydrates that are not complex for the in between snacks, and to focus on protein. But, no dairy. Tell me I need protein and I'll go for some yogurt or cheese.
The other thing that has come up is my cholesterol is 199 and my triglycerides are low. I know 200 begins borderline high. I'm thinking the dairy might have contributed to this.
I'm not overweight and I exercise regularly. But, taking out the dairy and eating every two hours is not exciting to me at all. I have to though. I want to get well. Is Paleo eating something to consider? I'd love some thoughts. Advice on some diet changes I can make that are TF friendly and protein rich. Thanks.

[crunchy_mama]

Yes, Paleo would be a good place to look. Do you have the Garden of Eating cookbook? It is TF paleo. Are you eating lots of grains now? You might find the blood sugar just resolves itself without a need for constant eating when you switch your diet(that has been the case for myself and others I know. We eat pretty basic here (especially since having the baby) so no big ideas for cool meals here. I eat lots of meat and fat- varying amount of veggies small amounts of fruits and nuts.

[pixiepunk]

nak...

hard boil eggs are a great source of quick protein. i make them a big batch at a time and peel them and put them in a container in the fridge so we can grab them whenever we like.

nuts and nut butters are also good quick sources of protein.

beans and brown rice are an easy, protein rich meal.

hummus with raw veggies to dip

what about a pate/chopped liver for a snack? is that something you'd eat?

also, things like tuna salad and chicken salad and egg salad are good for lunches or light meals

i will make a whole chicken or a roast for dinner and then the leftover meat is perfect for snacks or sandwiches later

when you do put dairy back into your diet, maybe try sticking to cultured dairy since you have to do pasteurized/homogenized? kefir, yogurt, maybe try making your own cheese? your body might be able to handle it better if it's cultured.

[eastkygal]

So, giving up dairy and eating every two hours is really really hard. I am not eating every two hours, but I have been dairy free for 3 days. Alot of my fat came from dairy and I am feeling it without the fat. It takes me forever to get used to new ways of eating. Also, my iron is high, so I'm kind of trying not to eat so many nuts. I love nuts. I just really don't know where to go from here. I want to be brave enough to go Paleo, but I'm already giving up so much... feeling a little deprived. Oh, and the powdered shakes for my blood sugar... yum! How did I get this way on a TF diet?

[Ruthla]

It sounds to me like you were eating the wrong foods *for you* and too many of the wrong things.

Let's make a list of TF foods you can still eat:

Meats, fish, and eggs
Nuts
veggies
beans (why go Paleo if you don't absolutely have to?)
bone broths
whole grains (at mealtimes).

You can have veggies with nut butter or bean dip for snacks.

Keep a pot of broth going, and have some soup for a snack- either plain broth, or broth with beans and/or veggies in it.

A cup of clear broth may be "just right" if it's been 2 hours but you really don't want to eat.