Elimination Diets

[Lisa79]

I am thinking of trying an elimination diet and see how I go, still having bloating and constipation after going gluten-free for 5 months.

Can someone point me in the direction of an elimination diet? I have googled so much and different diets, it all just gets too much and too confusing.

Thanks

[RideAllWays]

When I was put on an elimination diet it was...

Rice

Potatoes

Turkey (plain of course)

Canned peaches

Spinach

I did that for a week, then introduced foods in two-day sessions. If that food didn't bother me, it was added to the list.

[Lisa79]

THanks, Oh I cant eat potatoes as I get extremely bloated when I eat them. Thats why I think nightshades may be a problem.

I am surprised with tinned peaches, I would have thought the juices were very high in sugar which would be hard to reintroduce sugars.

Who put you on the diet? Did you find many intolerances?

I might have to chat with my naturopath next week.

[Firework]

First, I'm so glad you have a naturopath! I think they generally have a lot of good resources and knowledge to help those with food intolerances.

Secondly, and I hope this might encourage you--when I first went gluten free I felt instantly better and I was so relieved, so grateful. Around 2-3 months into the diet I noticed old symptoms (bloating, constipation, gas) returning but I was being so careful not to eat gluten I was almost positive it was not due to cross-contamination. I did search after search on the Internet to find out what might be wrong and also contacted the Entero-Lab in Texas. Of course, I read a lot about additional food allergies and was quite concered that I must have other intolerances--which I of course didn't want! GLuten seemed like enough to get rid of. Right away I decided to give up dairy since research I read said it is often hard to digest dairy when healing from gluten. I did feel better without dairy but I still had symptoms about half of the time. So, I was still not satisfied or feeling as well as I wanted to. That is when I started taking L-glutamine powder (it helps with cell growth in the intestines) and also a pro-biotic (I like suprema dolphlis). Finally, around my year anniversary of going gluten (and then dairy) free I felt consistently good! I could eat again without worrying about feeling sick afterwards!

I have tried reintroducing dairy since and found that I can have yogurt without a problem but other cheeses and cow's milk causes instant distress. I know EVERYONE's story is different but it does seem like everyone takes a different amount of time to heal and that during the healing process (which you at only 5 mos. gluten free are definitely in) you will probably still have many days of not feeling well. In my experience though, the road to recovery, although long with ups and downs, is well worth it. Keep listening to your body (for example with the potatoes) but also be reassured that you might just be healing and that soon you will be able to tolerate these (and most) foods again. And again, I would definitely recommend taking a probiotic and glutamine powder to help restore your healing system.

Good luck and let me know what you learn from your dr. as I do believe that feeling well is a life long process and committment.

[Lisa79]

Thanks for your reply sounds like a similar story to mine,

I am taking a pre-biotic mix from my naturopath, l-glutamine, lectin control and gut clear formula. So sounds like she is on to the same path. I cant wait to go back to her on Friday, its been 6 weeks between my last visit.

I don't drink a lot of milk, maybe one coffee a week. The rest is herbal teas, I do have a little yogurt with fruit daily, and very little cheese. I also read so much about dairy so I tried to stay off it.

I don't know if its refined sugar or starches or what, I have noticed packaged gluten-free stuff like cakes and biscuits make me feel a little yuk too. I know I felt much better when I first went gluten free as you said you did, but I also know I was eating a very bland healthy basic diet. I will try go back to basics again and see how I go, its good to know it took a yr as I hear so many people say I felt instantly better after a couple of weeks gluten free. Makes me very jealous and concerned that there may have been something else wrong with me.

Thanks

[OptimisticMom42]

My elimination diet was very basic...

chicken breast

low carb veggies

lemon juice

carrots were in there but I found that I was reacting to those.

eggs were the first thing I brought back in

then rice, potatoes, berries, avacado I don't remember the order but you get the idea

no dairy, no soy, no chemicals just simple one ingredient real food

[Lisa79]

What do you eat for breaky? I find breaky the more difficult meal.