[sunnysandiegan]

I recently finished a 7-10 day Ayurveda cleanse (supervised by my practitioner) where I ate a very limited diet and drank only one specific tea or water for 7 days and then added a few specific foods over the next three days and am still slowly adding in regular food. I am still taking certain herbs.<br><br>
I've had constant contact with my practitioner and have given a daily update during the week. I have not added back in raw veggies nor cooked red meat, yet. In my report this morning (includes Friday through Sunday), I mentioned having stomach cramping/clenching after eating whole wheat bread and commercial English muffins (two different occasions) whereas Hawaiian sweet bread caused no issues whatsoever plain nor as French toast. Both of the irritating breads were not super fresh, but didn't have obvious signs of contamination. The Hawaiian sweet bread was fresh and eaten within 3 days of purchase.<br><br>
Among other things in the email, my practitioner asked me to go gluten-free for two weeks. The cleanse is really a month-long, apparently, but is much more subtle at this stage. I don't really know much about gluten. I just ate some whole grain cereal with nuts (first time with nuts since the cleanse) and organic milk and am feeling stomach cramps again (mild, but there).<br><br>
Is there a crash course on gluten someone can point me to? I'm not sure if the gluten-free is to ease back into a full diet even more slowly or if she is planning to use the info as a qualifier for gluten-sensitivity or if this is just the first step in determining the finer details of my health issues. I can clarify with her tomorrow, but will still need help with understanding gluten-free....<br><br>
FWIW, the allergies I've had in the past are: 1) ginger, 2) cilantro, and 3) erythromycin (antibiotic). #3 resulted in profuse vomiting until suppository was inserted. #1 & #2 result in sniffling, eye-tearing, nasal stuffiness, tongue itching, tongue swelling, and throat closing at their worst (beginning of allergy problems) and have become more like irritations/sensitivities as my general health has improved. This stomach-clenching and cramping symptom is new to me....<br><br>
Thanks for any advice, links, reading suggestions, etc!

 

[leahmn12]

Here's a link to a simple primer. A gluten-free diet is really quite easy once you get used to it. It just takes some learning and adaptation. Many, many people are unable to digest gluten and don't even know it. Having a cramping reaction after an elimination diet is a pretty strong indicator, although you said you had no reaction to two types of bread. I'm surprised that your practitioner didn't suggest a dairy-free trial as well, as it can cause similar symptoms.<br><br><a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cooking_gluten-free/" target="_blank">http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cooking_gluten-free/</a><br><br>
There are tons of resources available online in addition to the above, should you find yourself committing to gluten-free.<br><br>
Wishing you good health!

 

[sunnysandiegan]

Thanks! I read the link and will click on subsequent links within it in a bit.<br><br>
I'm not sure why she didn't recommend a dairy-free diet, too, at this time. I have been dairy-free for the cleanse through Day 11 or 12. I was gluten-free on the cleanse through Day 9, when I ate the Hawaiian sweet bread (no reaction). Friday was the first time I had whole wheat bread and the cramping was not fun at all! (I'd have to match up a calendar to my reports to figure out the exact days.) I am trying to remember exactly when I had the first dairy. Dinner on Saturday night was homemade mac & cheese, but I don't know if I had any dairy before then. No reaction to the mac & cheese (with broccoli and chicken), but it did feel a bit "heavy". I had eggs Friday morning and again on Sunday morning with no reaction.<br><br>
Anyway, we have reduced my dairy in the past and that "stuck". I'm not a big dairy person to begin with, so she might not even realize I have introduced dairy back in (small amounts) since I doubt I mentioned it specifically in my reports. I didn't notice any reactions, so I didn't mention anything specific regarding dairy. We didn't do this cleanse as an elimination diet, though, so I wasn't even looking for signs. I actually brought up the bread because we were eliminating toxins from my body and I was wondering about bread toxins. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[sunnysandiegan]

Actually, I re-read her note to me. She said: "[...] and if possible for the next few weeks with gluten free bread. That will help assisting the cleansing process."<br><br>
So, I guess that is more clear and easier to start.<br><br>
I still need to read up on gluten-free bread. What determines gluten-free bread versus gluten-full bread? Why did the Hawaiian sweet bread create no reaction? I thought it was wheat bread (bleached white, but wheat nonetheless).

 

[ewp11100]

Gluten is in just about everything, not just bread. here is a list:<br><a href="http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html" target="_blank">http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1...nts/Page1.html</a>

 

[sunnysandiegan]

Well, I think there is more going on here than just gluten. I believe it is the ongoing cleanse process that is causing stomach cramping. I've had eggs two times before with no reaction, but this morning all I ate was two eggs (same brand) fried in 1 teaspoon of unsalted Trader Joe's butter (same butter I used to make ghee for the cleanse). Major stomach cramping about a half-hour later. I was teaching a class between then and now. I just got home and ate some canned peaches in 100% juice, which have not caused any issues the 2-3 times I had some of the exact same jar over the weekend. My stomach is cramping again right now.<br><br>
What can I eat that WILL NOT cause stomach cramping????

 

[sunnysandiegan]

I think I figured it out. I need to eat very simple foods, small amounts, and fruits & veggies need to be cooked. Otherwise, my stomach/digestive system is having to work too hard right now. I can feel every single process all the way from mouth to intestines. It has been a week since the cleanse was done, but my body has always been slower than average to recover. Very interesting.