Elimination Diet Gone Wrong?

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

This is the third day and my stomach has not stopped being gassy. This stinks. I am eating fresh fruit. cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, dried cranberries, Sliced almonds (they are allowed), avacadoes, strawberries and bananas. Thats my breakfast and/or lunch.

Dinner is chicken (free range), red and orange peppers, mushrooms, brown rice, brocolli (Not a lot), safflower oil, tyme, sage, rosemary.

I think thats about it. I have had a plain rice cake.

I wonder if its the meds I take at night. The worst part of the day is first thing in the morning. My stomach just goes nuts.

I am so sick of being sick. Can't I just have a good day, or two? Sorry, I know it's the pity me that's talking.

Anyways. Do I just continue this elimination diet? Obviously what I cut out is NOT what was making me sickif I am still sick.

Advice?

Thanks

Bobbi

[confusedks]

It sounds like the fruits you are eating in the morning may be causing some of your tummy troubles. I know melons and dried fruit are very problematic for a lot of people. Also, pineapple KILLS my stomach, so that could be a problem also.

Good luck!

[tarnalberry]

This is the third day and my stomach has not stopped being gassy. This stinks. I am eating fresh fruit. cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, dried cranberries, Sliced almonds (they are allowed), avacadoes, strawberries and bananas. Thats my breakfast and/or lunch.

Dinner is chicken (free range), red and orange peppers, mushrooms, brown rice, brocolli (Not a lot), safflower oil, tyme, sage, rosemary.

I think thats about it. I have had a plain rice cake.

I wonder if its the meds I take at night. The worst part of the day is first thing in the morning. My stomach just goes nuts.

Anyways. Do I just continue this elimination diet? Obviously what I cut out is NOT what was making me sickif I am still sick.

Advice?

Honestly, I don't understand your elimination diet. Half of the items on your list are problematic for more than just a "rare few" people (pineapple, almonds - an allergen!, strawberries, bananas, peppers, just at the least). Not to mention the fact that if you increased your intake of fresh fruit and veggies much, you're likely to get more gas as it is - especially if you have any yeast/sugar problems.

[Juliebove]

Fresh fruit makes me really sick to my stomach. I can't eat it.

Why are you on an elimination diet? Wouldn't it be easier to have an allergy test done?

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

I am SO confused!

I was getting sick although have been diagnosed since August. I try really hard to be gluten-free. Unless it is sneaking in. I don't know. Another member told me to do the elimination diet. I pretty much went and bought everything on that list. Then I made a few meals.

As far as the fruit intake. I always eat that much fruit. Since I have been Celiac, it's an easy meal idea and very yummy.

This is the diet. It was suggested to me.

drmcdougall

Please help.

Peppers are bad?

I can't afford an allergy test.

Is there another diet I should try?

What should I eat tomorrow?

Sorry

Thank you

Bobbi

[tarnalberry]

There isn't really a short cut, and I've never seen a good "prepared" plan. The best thing to do is research about what foods are bigger problems and smaller problems for people, and eliminate those. I think I took three weeks to plan my elimination diet (and it was cut short because it was too difficult because it was so strict), and I'm glad I did.

(I think mine was pears, pork, sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and seven other things I don't remember at the moment.)

You note that you always eat that much fruit, but if you always have gas as a problem, that may be related.

[ravenwoodglass]

You are doing what I call a reverse elimination diet, which is often not very helpful. With an elimination diet you are not eliminating the foods, you are eliminating them as a cause for a reaction.

If you really want to go the elimination diet you need to start from scratch. You take 5 foods that you know you are not reactive to, I had an allergist who guided me and in my case it was: turkey, rice, sweet potatoe, peas and pineapple (which I had to drop in the first week) with only water and cranberry juice as beverages. No coffee, no teas, no sodas, no sugar, no spices other than salt.

After 2 weeks with no symptoms you then add in foods one at a time in PURE form for 5 days straight 3 times a day. In other words when you test potatoes you would have a baked or boiled potato plain 3 times a day. If after 5 days you still feel well you keep that food and add another back in. If you react you drop the food and wait till the reaction is over before adding another in. I tested the most likely substances first, after I got my favorite food, potatoes out of the way. Wheat took a full 3 days to see a reaction but when I reacted boy did I react. I was then referred back to my GI who confirmed celiac and apologized profusely for his misdiagnoses on me based on my bloodwork he never even thought to suggest a gluten free diet. I didn't show up on blood work so as far as he and all the other specialists were concerned celiac was not one of the possible diagnoses for me. It turned out to be the one true diagnosis that all the others cascaded from. The elimination diet is not easy but it can be very helpful. You can not however cheat at all during the period you are doing it. If you for example go out to dinner and load your plate with suspect foods you will have to start basically all over again. I hope this helps.

[hathor]

I must point out that what you are following is NOT the elimination diet set forth by Dr. McDougall at all.

You say:

"I am eating fresh fruit. cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, dried cranberries, Sliced almonds (they are allowed), avacadoes, strawberries and bananas. Thats my breakfast and/or lunch.

Dinner is chicken (free range), red and orange peppers, mushrooms, brown rice, brocolli (Not a lot), safflower oil, tyme, sage, rosemary.

I think thats about it. I have had a plain rice cake."

Cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, strawberries & bananas are not listed among the allowed fruits. Cranberries are listed, but they, like any other fruit, are supposed to be cooked. Plus all dried cranberries I've seen list oil among the ingredients and so wouldn't be allowed.

Avocado, peppers, mushrooms and broccoli are not listed as allowed veggies.

Chicken isn't allowed (this is McDougall after all -- even his regular diet omits animal protein in any form)

No nuts are allowed.

No seasoning beyond salt is supposed to be used, so the safflower oil (McDougall doesn't believe in added oil under any circumstances, either), thyme, sage and rosemary is wrong.

So wherever you got the diet from, it isn't the McDougall elimination diet. Here is a description of it:

Open Original Shared Link

I would point out that you MIGHT have eliminated what is making you sick, theoretically. Day 3 is too early to tell. You are supposed to go a week and see if your symptoms go away. But I think it would make more sense to start over with a correct list of foods.

Edit: the only food you list that is allowed initially in the McDougall elimination diet is brown rice.

[Nyxie63]

You might also try switching to white rice instead of the brown rice. I had problems with brown rice (stomach cramping) but don't have that problem since I've switched.

[Nancym]

If it were me, I'd eat nothing but meat and veggies. They seem to be least responsible for food intolerances. Then I'd slowly add in other things.

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

As far as the foods I was eating, I took two elimination diet lists and combined them together. Is that bad? So thats where I found safflower oil, avacados, and almonds.

Everyone has great ideas. I just don't know what to do. Maybe I'll call a dietician or an allergenist cause I am going to end up starving myself. I can't NOT eat though. Doctors aren't open for a few days and getting an appointment will take a while. My gassy stomach is getting worse each day. It was fine for a while then bam. stomach aches. The worst part is when I am waking up. I have no idea why. Cause the food is settling maybe?

So what kinds of foods should I eat until I get an appointment?

Thanks.

I guessed on the tyme and sage.. etc.. I figured cause it was fresh and natural and organic. I guess I am wrong. Now I haver to throw that stuff away. Anyone hungry?

Bobbi

[mn farm gal]

Alot of people have problems with fruit. The melons are a problem to lots of people and they are kind of a group thing you can pick out. Watermelon, cantalop, muskmelon ect. I know of people to have problems with apples and if you read lables you will find apple juice in alot of gluten free items for flavor so you may have to watch that if apples show up as a problem.

I personally don't think a dieticion will be of much help. There are not many out there that no much about gluten free diets and I personally would stick my money there, I would put it toward a allergy test instead.

[ravenwoodglass]

As far as the foods I was eating, I took two elimination diet lists and combined them together. Is that bad? So thats where I found safflower oil, avacados, and almonds.

Everyone has great ideas. I just don't know what to do. Maybe I'll call a dietician or an allergenist cause I am going to end up starving myself. I can't NOT eat though. Doctors aren't open for a few days and getting an appointment will take a while. My gassy stomach is getting worse each day. It was fine for a while then bam. stomach aches. The worst part is when I am waking up. I have no idea why. Cause the food is settling maybe?

So what kinds of foods should I eat until I get an appointment?

Thanks.

I guessed on the tyme and sage.. etc.. I figured cause it was fresh and natural and organic. I guess I am wrong. Now I haver to throw that stuff away. Anyone hungry?

Bobbi

You may want to rest your system for a couple of days with a modified brat diet. Bananas, rice and applesauce. Once your tummy calms down add in some broiled or baked plain chicken breasts. Make sure the applesauce is unsweetened and the rice is plain not out of a packet. Minute Rice although of not much use nutritionally by the time they get done with it should be a good easy to digest choice. This should help things calm down a bit.

[tarnalberry]

Bet all the advice and stuff you're reading sounds totally confusing? Well, it is! When you're trying to do something like this. I'd go back to eating whatever you ate that was closest to being reasonable on your symptoms and then do some planning, figuring out what very few foods you are very confident in not bothering you, and what are unlikely to bother other people. You won't have your answer any time soon, but you'll get an answer eventually.

[happygirl]

Have you had follow up bloodwork to confirm that your damage due to Celiac is diminishing?

Are you under a doctors care and have you been evaluated for other problems?

[ruthla]

I wouldn't throw out any food you've already prepared- maybe your best bet is to not worry about doing an elimination diet for now, but do some more research first, and maybe find time for some allergy tests before starting?

[confusedks]

I don't mean to really confuse you even more, but I don't think allergy testing would do you much good. If you don't have an anaphylactic reaction to food, and they do "true" allergy testing, nothing will show up.

I was going through what you're going through and I went to an allergist and he did tests and we found out I have all kinds of environmental allergies, and only one food allergy...shelfish which I don't really like anyway. It was a HUGE waste of money and time.

Have you eliminiated soy and dairy? My allergist actually suggested I eliminate soy and all nuts because they are highly allergenic. Also, eggs maybe? Sugar?

Have you looked into an anti-candida diet for ideas of what may help your stomach? I'm not saying you have Candida, but the diet that one is supposed to follow may be helpful for you.

[CMCM]

I can tell you right now that if I ate what you are eating, I'd have the same problems.

My suggestion is that simpler is better. Limit the variety of foods. Cut out most of the fruit.

I can only tolerate limited fruit. One fruit at a time, too! I love fruit salads, but they kill me.

Peppers are of the nighshade family, highly problematic for many people. I love them, but can't really eat them except in very tiny amounts, occasionally. Many celiacs can't handle nightshades.

Rice can also be a problem--it's the starch.

Sugar is also a problem....and eating all that fruit PLUS the rice (remember, the starch turns to sugar as soon as you finish chewing it).

And back to variety....for celiacs, variety in the diet isn't a good thing, especially in the beginning when you are healing. At the point where I was first diagnosed, I really felt like there wasn't a single thing in the food world that didn't bother me. After 5 or 6 months without gluten (and also without dairy), most foods didn't bother me, but I still must be careful not to eat much at a time and to severely limit variety of foods at any one meal. And I also think there is some validity to the ideas of food combining. They say fruit should always be eaten alone, and I have found that to be true for me.

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

Bet all the advice and stuff you're reading sounds totally confusing? Well, it is!

Wow.

This just goes to show that not everything works for everyone.

Haha. Thankfully we have each other. I had no idea a pepper was a nightshade. I didn't know fruit was to be eaten alone. and not necessarily as a salad.

If I was to do the brat diet... which I am fine with. It contains rice. So, should I eat rice? I'm okay with NOT eating it. I'm pretty sure rice packs on the calories anyways right? I like my new weight as it is.

I will do anything that will make my stomach feel better. These past 4 days have been terrible. I limited my food (so I thought ) and I feel like crap. I am slao so tired. I drive for work so not being able to drink coffee has been so difficult.

How about black coffee? (I can already see the replies to that )

Maybe I'll take the night off and drink some tequila so I can't feel the gassy, bloated, nausea. haha Or atleast I won't care.

I have already cut out dairy and it has been 4 days so I don't want to mess that up. I think I have cut out soy, cept the safflower oil was made with soybean oil. (oops) I will cut down on the fruit. Take out the peppers from my diet.

What about rice, avacados, almonds, dried cranberries, pineapple, mushrooms and chicken (free range).

Now when you answer please remember that I MUST eat something. So, How about as you take something out, suggest something I can put in? I am definately open to suggestions.

It is very hard when people say "Don't eat that" but don't suggest something else.

I am so Thankful you guys are all here to help. Keep up the good work. As confusing as it is, it's better than nothing.

Happy New Year!!

Cheers to being Gluten Free!!!!

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

Have you had follow up bloodwork to confirm that your damage due to Celiac is diminishing?

Are you under a doctors care and have you been evaluated for other problems?

No follow up. I get the hint though. I will call for an appointment.

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

How do you cook Chicken without oil? Just curious.

I also have no idea how to cook fruit. Didn't know you could.

[sneezydiva]

I don't mean to really confuse you even more, but I don't think allergy testing would do you much good. If you don't have an anaphylactic reaction to food, and they do "true" allergy testing, nothing will show up.

I was going through what you're going through and I went to an allergist and he did tests and we found out I have all kinds of environmental allergies, and only one food allergy...shelfish which I don't really like anyway. It was a HUGE waste of money and time.

That is absolutely not true. Non-anaphylactic reactions can and do show up in allergy testing. My wheat allergy was finally diagnosed by skin testing, and it is certainly not an anaphylactic reaction.

Intolerances, however do not show up with any type of allergy testing. And the type of allergy testing favored by allergists today only tests for IgE reactions. If you have delayed food allergies, they are most likely IgG reactions. There is a blood test for it, but most allergist aren't on board with delayed food allergies. Most don't think delayed reactions exist.

If they found a ton of environmental allergies, then it wasn't a complete waste of time IMO. I hope you are treating them and reducing your exposure to them It can make a huge difference in how you feel.

[ravenwoodglass]

How do you cook Chicken without oil? Just curious.

I also have no idea how to cook fruit. Didn't know you could.

To cook chicken without oil you would put it on a piece of tin foil or in a pan and place it in your oven at 350 degrees until a probe inserted into the thickest part reads 165. You also can boil it with an onion and carrot thrown in, discard those after it is done, cover the pot and let simmer until the meat falls off the bones. Then you drain off the stock, drain the stock into a bowl if you want to make soup, let the meat cool a bit then pick the meat out and discard the bones. You can then use it for sandwiches or add it to soups or stews etc.

To cook fruit, first wash it well and dry with paper towel, at first it is going to be a good idea to peel it as you may have a bit of trouble digesting the peel. Cut the fruit into small pieces and place in a small sauce pan with a small amount of water. With berries just wash them well. Cook on low heat until the fruit is soft, some like apples will cook down totally into a mush, otherwise known as applesauce. You can cook almost any fruit like this, after you have done it a couple of times it is really easy and any fruit sauce is nice warm. After it has cooked down a bit taste it, some fruits may need a bit of sweetner like honey or organic cane sugar but most will taste just lovely without anything added. After your tummy settles a bit you can add a touch of cinnamon to the fruit for extra benefit to your blood sugar levels and digestion.

[Offthegrid]

I bake fruit for a yummy dessert. I cut up the fruit into bite-sized pieces and then cover with aluminum foil. Then bake for 10 minutes or so at 325. I add honey and cinnamon.

And for your reference, I get symptoms from brown rice and possibly sweet potatoes.

[misdiagnosed6yrs]

To cook chicken without oil you would put it on a piece of tin foil or in a pan and place it in your oven at 350 degrees until a probe inserted into the thickest part reads 165. You also can boil it with an onion and carrot thrown in, discard those after it is done, cover the pot and let simmer until the meat falls off the bones. Then you drain off the stock, drain the stock into a bowl if you want to make soup, let the meat cool a bit then pick the meat out and discard the bones. You can then use it for sandwiches or add it to soups or stews etc.

To cook fruit, first wash it well and dry with paper towel, at first it is going to be a good idea to peel it as you may have a bit of trouble digesting the peel. Cut the fruit into small pieces and place in a small sauce pan with a small amount of water. With berries just wash them well. Cook on low heat until the fruit is soft, some like apples will cook down totally into a mush, otherwise known as applesauce. You can cook almost any fruit like this, after you have done it a couple of times it is really easy and any fruit sauce is nice warm. After it has cooked down a bit taste it, some fruits may need a bit of sweetner like honey or organic cane sugar but most will taste just lovely without anything added. After your tummy settles a bit you can add a touch of cinnamon to the fruit for extra benefit to your blood sugar levels and digestion.

Wow.

Thanks a bunch.