Have you made major dietary changes?

[VisionaryMom]

Well, the title is what I want to know, but here's a bit about why. After 2 years of major health upheaval, I have realized that I need to make some drastic changes in my diet. I stopped eating grains for maybe 2 weeks, and as soon as I ate them again I got sick and started to return to all of the problems I had before.

We do not rely on processed food, but we do have the occasional Amy's Pizza or something like that. Even when I've been doing high-protein, low/no carb, I'm still returning to massive inflammation. So...my only conclusion is that I will have to change and be really strict (which, okay, I admit is not in my nature).

I'm curious to know if anyone else has made major changes quickly. How did it go? All responses of "awesome" are strongly encouraged!!!

[jellybeanmumma]

A few year ago I cut out gluten, dairy, soy, meat, sugar (including fruit), yeast and processed food. I basically lived on salmon, nuts, seeds, veg, legumes, millet, buckwheat and amaranth. It was really hard work at first till I got used to it but after a while I felt AMAZING!! Every morning was like waking up to a sparkling sunshine day after a bleak week of rain. I felt so fit and healthy. Prior to cleansing I was asthmatic and had lots of allergies and every day I felt like I'd swallowed nails. I had pretty much convinced myself I had cancer or something cause i was in constant pain and ALWAYS sick but it was actually just my body saying no more. I lasted about a year and now I am a lot less strict about diet but I pretty much never get sick but if I do I just reign in my diet. I was single at that point and did struggle eating out or at other people's places but a small sacrifice for health. Have you read Healing with Wholefoods by Paul Pitchford? It was my bible at that point in my life. It was hard at first and I'd recommend one change at a time and a food journal with how you feel after each meal. Good luck.

[deditus]

I am gluten, dairy, soy, and egg free - originally for my dd's intolerances (well, eggs I have always had an on again off again thing with), but I have stayed that way because I feel better. We are almost grain free - we eat a little buckwheat and a little white rice. I do not have acne for the first time in my adult life. I do not have horrible crushing fatigue nor crippling depression and anxiety anymore. But I really did need more than the diet - I need high amounts of B vitamins and magnesium, and I had some dysbiosis issues that were much better after I took high dose probiotics for a year or so, digestive enzymes, zinc, and hcl. I also need a lot of meat, a lot of fat, a lot of veggies, a little fruit, and some nuts to feel good (and a green smoothie every day, and herbal infusions). So okay I guess it is a lot, but I made these changes over about the last 2 years. Each thing would make me feel a little better and now I am in the routine and it's habit.

[Sol_y_Paz]

I find a major difference in my overall energy and basically everything good when I eat mostly vegetarian, none processed, and raw whole foods with lots of good fats. Don't know why that works so well for me, but it really does. Heavy foods weigh me down so much, light real non heavily processed foods, and many snacks during the day is really ideal for me and energy.
It is hard but it is mental mostly staying on track. It helps so much to know this is what is best for you and who cares what others do/think. Don't feel like things are banned, because nothing is, what is key for me is that you do not feel deprived because in reality you are lucky enough to have access to many foods and can eat whatever you want, you are just choosing to eat good for you.

[bandgeek]

Yes. Over the course of several months I went vegetarian, then cut out dairy and eggs (I don't consider myself vegan only because I'm not super strict about trace ingredients). I also added a ton of fruits and veggies to my diet and quit eating fast food (except the occasional cheeseless bean burrito from taco bell when I'm really short on time).

I also mostly cut out pop. I NEVER drink diet anymore but occasionally have a hansen's brand ginger ale.

It's been almost a year since I started making changes and I'm back down to a healthy weight (was obese), pretty much all my GI symptoms went away. The reflux was the worst. I used to have to take OTC meds daily and it barely helped. I haven't had so much as a tums in 9 months, let alone zantac or prevacid or any of the other stronger meds. I have a lot more energy and my skin is clearer. When I get sick now, it's always very mild compared to those around me. My fibromyalgia symptoms have been reduced. I still have them, but they were getting so bad I was having difficulty walking. Now I'm back to what they were when I was a teen. Definitely manageable.

So basically I went from a high fat, highly processed diet to one loaded with fresh foods (and minimal processed foods...sorry but I like the occasional chik'n sandwich!) within a couple of months. It was difficult, but totally worth it. I've adjusted to the changes and have a whole mess of "easy" recipes I go to when I'm short on time so I'm not tempted to grab processed food.

[newcastlemama]

I made a big change 4 years ago. I have problems with inflammation (Lyme's disease) and a paleo-type diet really worked...I did meats/fish/broth/organ meats, fruits/veg, nuts/seeds, honey, and fats like coconut and olive oil. I also did high vitamin cod liver oil, B complex, mag, zinc....

I still eat this way and I can just have some gluten-free grains now and then without a major problem. Gluten, dairy, eggs, tomatoes, and grains made me have arthritis problems (in my hands especially). I was add back in eggs and moderate amounts of tomatoes. NOW Pancreatin 4X digestive enzymes help.

If you feel aweful make the change! You can do it and you will be closer to being well. Stock your kitchen with whatever foods you need to be successful. It is so worth it to me...I would still be in pain taking tylonol all day if I had not changed my diet. You will feel bad initially and then you will feel better

[newcastlemama]

Originally Posted by Sol_y_Paz

I It helps so much to know this is what is best for you and who cares what others do/think. Don't feel like things are banned, because nothing is, what is key for me is that you do not feel deprived because in reality you are lucky enough to have access to many foods and can eat whatever you want, you are just choosing to eat good for you.

This is good advice! And many foods you like can be re-created to fit your lifestyle and still be very delicious.

[VisionaryMom]

I don't have the luxury of slow changes. And really our diet isn't bad. A typical dinner here is a steamed veggie or two, brown rice, & baked chicken or fish. Breakfast usually is something with eggs. Lunch is a sandwich or hummus w/ a pita. Regardless of changes, my weight has continued to increase, but I think that the grains really may be the big key to that.

Originally Posted by newcastlemama

a paleo-type diet really worked...I did meats/fish/broth/organ meats, fruits/veg, nuts/seeds, honey, and fats like coconut and olive oil. I also did high vitamin cod liver oil, B complex, mag, zinc....

I don't know much about the paleo diet (other than to have skimmed a couple of articles), but I'm leaning this way. Actually both of the doctors I've seen really advised against going the vegetarian route, which I'd thought was better. They strongly pushed fish 2-3 times a week and quality animal-based proteins. I have been loosely instructed to eat high-protein, high-fat (quality & quantity). Unfortunately neither doctor gave anything really specific, so I'm kind of on my own here, which makes me unhappy.

DH doesn't like fish. He will eat it on occasion, but he's not going to eat it 2-3 times a week. Obviously the rest of my family eats grains, so I'm not sure how to go about the process. I went to WF yesterday and got some things, balked at the price as usual, and then kicked myself for it last night. I really think I need to go completely natural, whole foods with nothing processed - even if it is just peas with salt and oil and then crisped. Ah, I don't know, and I don't have time to slow down to figure it out.

[newcastlemama]

Meat actually helped me a lot. I did not even do all organic or anything when I did the diet because of money. You could always have your fish with lunch...like salmon on salad. My family eats grains too so I make meat, veg, and grain and I just skip the grain. I also make things like brown rice spagetti and meatballs with a veg on the side and I just put the meatballs on top of the veg. Tacos I make an iceberg lettuce wrap and top with avocado instead of cheese. Breakfast today was an almond flour zuccini muffin and some pork sausage, lunch is usually a large salad with protein on top and evoo/vinegar dressing and maybe an apple too for some ideas. Once you get going you will find tons of things you can make and still have your family happy too. It takes experimenting to find out the specifics of what will work for you too.

There is so much info out there now on the diet since it has become more popular recently. You could start here:
www.marksdailyapple.com
www.paleofood.com

[staceychev]

Meat and fat have helped me a lot. It sounds counter-intuitive, but my weight is better on a low grain (low gluten) diet with avocados and coconut oil. That, and staying away from sugar. When I'm eating poorly, I'm actually still eating healthy meals but snacking on sweets in between.

[VisionaryMom]

Thanks for the links!

Yes, Stacey, that's much what my doctor said - that I've actually been making myself worse by doing what I thought was right.

[Sayward]

Just wanted to note that it is totally possible to eat a low-carb (no grain) veg*n diet. I do it! I eat plenty of plant fats and I've steadily lost weight and I feel great. My hair and skin has never looked better.

Harvard recently published the results of a massive 20-year study, the first long-term analysis of low-carb/high-animal-protein diets. The results are NOT good for those claiming the health benefits of such diets, which makes sense since they've only ever been studied in the short term (and do work for quick weight loss)

Anyway, check out this write-up of the study: http://www.thecrimson.harvard.edu/ar...te-fats-diets/

I'd do a lot of [real, independent] research before committing myself, and especially my family, to such a diet.

[puffingirl]

Yes--and you can do it! We've done 3 major dietary changes in our household in the last 10 years and I know that I felt overwhelmed and frustrated starting each one, but they all worked out. Way back I had bad ovarian problems and a naturopath put me on a mostly vegan diet (exceptions for fish and some organic yogurt). Solved the problems pretty fast, along with supplements and such! I was able to add stuff back in more moderately after about 2 years and became a stickler for organic animal products. DD is 3 and we figured out she had a gluten intolerance a little after she was 18 months old. Those were a rough first couple of months sorting out a new way of eating, but it made a HUGE difference in her health. Then DH found out his cholesterol was too high and needed to come down now so we changed things up again to accommodate his needs as well as DD's. I admit I still get frustrated and grumpy trying to figure out a meal plan every week that meets everyone's needs, but it can be done. And the good health of everyone involved makes it all so worth it. Good luck!

[nicky85]

I'm eating 60-80% raw and have cut out most meat, dairy, and eggs. No soy. I started making the change when I was pregnant and it was worth it, but I had really bad cravings for processed food- stuff I hadn't craved in a long time. After my son was born, the cravings stopped.

My husband is on a really strict diet right now for chronic fatigue syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. He doesn't eat gluten, eggs, dairy, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, corn, soy, meat, citrus, chocolate, oils (except flax and coconut), nuts, sugar, or beans. I've been eating much the same way because I want to be supportive and I don't want him crashing and having inflammation like he used to get. He's taken the transition really well. He gets occasional cravings but he's really good at sticking to it. The thing that seems to help the most is that he's finally seeing results, losing weight, feeling better and is able to get up and do stuff. We had experimented with cutting out gluten and dairy before, and he said that helped him to be able to do a major elimination diet like this one.

[KatWrangler]

Yes, I have. I am down nearly 60 pounds because of the changes.

Right now, I am thinking of taking it a step further and that is to Vegetarian.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Yes, I have. I am down nearly 60 pounds because of the changes.

Yay!

I've lost 10 pounds in about 3 weeks, so I'm hoping I can find something permanent. Right now I'm kind of in flux day-to-day.

I have other comments, too, but I need to crash for tonight. I'm excited to hear about others' successes, though!

[KatWrangler]

We are going to be at Children's Hospital all afternoon. I will be back online tonight.