For the last several months, I've been endeavoring to figure out which foods do not agree with my body. Like alot of people, I have been plagued with digestion issues most of my life, and have just always dealt with them and assumed that it was a normal part of life. Last year, I started keeping a food journal & then in February, I started documenting digestion issues. While this is not the most pleasant thing, I have been able to notice a pattern...which is exactly what I was hoping for.
I've now discovered that dairy just does not seem to agree with my system...and this fact pains me almost as much as the digestive issues since my favorite food of all time is Mac and Cheese :( While researching how to eliminate dairy from your diet, I came upon this 30-Day Nutrition Challenge to Remove Gluten, Dairy, Caffeine, Sugar and Alcohol and thought I'd give it a try...after all, it's only 30 day, right?!
First off, the alcohol will not be an issue since I don't drink :) Woohoo...I'm already 1/5th of the way there! Secondly, I broke myself of caffeine about 8 or 9 years ago; yes, I do occasionally have caffeine, but it's usually once a week or less. My only exception to this is tea; but luckily, green tea (which I drink every day) is allowed...and this makes me super happy! The next item is sugar: I've been working for the last 4-5 months to reduce my sugar intake...other than natural sugar in fruit...so I feel like I'm already on the right path with that.
Since discovering my body's reaction to dairy, I have been weining myself off of it...though not happily, I know it's necessary for my health. (Side note: oddly enough, cultured dairy products such as yogurt and sour cream do not seem to have any adverse effects on my system) Next we come to the most difficult part of this whole experiment...the gluten...or in other words...wheat! Now, if there's one thing I heart more than almost anything else...it's baked goods...bread, crackers, pretzels, cupcakes, cereal...I love it all! BUT, I can do anything for 30 days, RIGHT??? I sure do hope so!
You may be asking, what can you eat and what can't you eat? This follow-up article to the one listed above goes into great detail...good stuff. Basically, in a nut shell: all vegetables, fruits and meats, rice and quinoa are all acceptable. Thankfully, I do love rice and rice noodles - so I do plan to try spaghetti with rice noodles...ymmm! I have quinoa, but have not had the chance to try it yet...no time like the present :)
So, if you're just not been feeling the greatest lately, why not try this challenge with me? After all, it's only 30 days! Here's to nutrition...Happy May!!!
Interesting. Wonder if this will help with my blood sugar/ pre-diabetic warning I got from my doctor? I watch my sugar, but the carbs....ugh, that is so hard to let go off, especially with a house full of people who love them!!
ReplyDeleteI must say that it's not been too difficult until the last week...I desperately want a cupcake! And come Memorial Day, I will have one! Since I'm the only one in my house, it was easy to not buy those gluten-filled items. In the future, I plan on working toward low gluten instead of completely removing it; however, the dairy simply cannot come back. Not having to deal with stomach issues has been waaaay too nice!
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