Once you figure out what you can eat, life will be more enjoyable. This list varies by individual but see what works for YOU! To make this transition easier, and it can be ridiculously difficult, contact me for help.
WHAT TO AVOID
Dairy
Got Milk? Not anymore. Aside from the fact that dairy does not give you strong bones, it’s also one of the most inflammatory foods on the market. Some people may be lacking the lactase enzyme to break down the sugar protein in dairy and feel the bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and acne. Others may be reacting to the other two proteins found in milk- casein and whey. Other reasons to avoid dairy: Hormones, hormones, hormones. So if you aren't sure what you’re reacting to, better to leave all dairy off the menu. "There is no reason for people with lactose intolerance to push themselves to drink milk. Indeed, milk does not offer any nutrients that cannot be found in a healthier form in other foods. Surprisingly, milk-drinking does not even appear to prevent osteoporosis, its major selling point." Source
*Raw milk has some great qualities but most people don't have access to it.
Gluten
So what is gluten and why the hype? Gluten is the protein found in wheat and related grain products- like barley and rye. Gluten gives dough that elasticity and chewy texture that makes it oh so delicious. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not “healthy” to give up wheat products if you don’t have sensitivity to them. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine and some people are just sensitive to gluten while others can't come near it with a 10ft pole. A blood test can confirm if you have Celiac disease but for now, try removing all gluten and see how you feel. (Hint- It’s not just bread that has gluten in it). Do some label searching and you'll be shocked even your soy sauce has gluten in it. Have no fear though. It's all the rage to be gluten-free so pretty much everything you like will have a gluten-free option.
Corn products
What?! Trust me, I know. So many people have a food allergy to corn and it is by far the hardest to figure out. For myself, corn triggers an extreme inflammation and sends me and my Crohn's to the ER. Did you know that the distilled white vinegar in all condiments (ketchup, mustard, pickles, mayo) is from corn? I don’t just mean corn chips, corn on the cob, corn meal (breading), corn syrup, and corn starch but all products with corn (and corn derivatives) should be avoided. I bet you're thinking gluten-free is corn-free. Think again. Gluten-free products are just laden with corn. Aside from the items mentioned above, here are some sneaky items with corn: Maltodextrin, Natural flavor, Citric acid and all farm animals, even organic beef, have been fed corn. What are some corn-free options? Grass-finished and pastured (not pasteurized) animals, balsamic, or apple cider vinegar are all okay and exhale because Beanitos makes corn free chips! Hallelujah. Once you figure out your substitutions, it becomes second nature to keep it out. Although if you feel no different when you remove corn, go ahead and pour yourself a big bowl of Karo Syrup if you want!
Fructose (sugar)
Dr Robert Lustig said "There is no food stuff on the planet that has fructose, that is poisonous to you...It’s an evolutionary Darwinian signal that this is a safe food". He was talking about real sugars. Sugars in fruit and anything mother nature has her hand in. Excess sugars (like cane) are linked to inflammation, gas, bloating, anxiety, cancer, obesity, heart disease, stroke and guess what else? Wrinkles! That last one is enough to stop most women I know from consuming fructose. When you see 'low-fat' listed on a food item, the fat is replaced with excess sugar. The liver turns the fructose into fat, and fat in the blood stream turns into small dense LDL (the bad cholesterol) associated with cardiovascular disease. Just like a drug, the more sugar you eat the less you feel so you have to consume more sugar to get the same effect. The amount of sugar (fructose) in the Standard American Diet is absurd. Most people don’t realize all the clever ways sugar is listed as an ingredient. What’s the easiest way to find sugar in an ingredient? Look for anything ending in “-os”. This is not a death sentence for any dessert though. Try sweets made from raw honey, dates, or maple syrup. Careful not to over-indulge though.
