Trying Another Elimination Diet

[laura4669]

I tried to do an elimination diet about a month ago, and it was so hard to do around the holidays with traveling, parties, eating out, etc, that I just couldn't do it. It is hard enough not eating gluten! So, now that Christmas is over, I am going to try again. I have been gluten free (and somewhat dairy free) since October, but I really think I have other food sensitivities. My symptoms are constipation, extreme fatigue, dizzy, foggy thinking, stumbling over words. My doctor said to eliminate the top allergens- peanuts, dairy, soy, eggs, shellfish, corn, as well as citrus and tomatoes, then add them back one at a time for three days each.

Does anyone who has done this have any tips on what to eat during this time? Did you just eat meat, veggies and fruit for several weeks? What about breakfast? Not sure i can do this, but I am sure going to try.

Also, I had a strong reaction to something on Christmas. I prepared the food at my house, and there was only one little bowl of gluten filled crackers, so I don't think it was from gluten. I think it might have been from beef tenderloin or green peas??? Anyone have food sensitivity to these items? Seems a bit strange. I also ate quite a bit of sugar, which is not typical for me. I would hate to give up sugar entirely, but I might add that to the elimination diet.

Just trying to figure out what I can and can't eat! It is frustrating, but I am determined to figure it out. Anyone have any experience with the elimination diet who can give me a head up? How long did it take to figure out what you were reacting to? Thanks.

[FooGirlsMom]

Hi

I went gluten free in October and, like you, I've been trying to narrow down other food sensitivities. I think what others have said is true -- we react sometimes to even the right foods due to leaky gut issues. That aside, I did notice some violent reactions after the first 2 weeks to dairy & soy, in particular. Cut those out. Then I started to notice corn was giving me indigestion & D. I have tested this off and on for the past two weeks and I'm right about dairy & soy. They are a problem. However, the corn is hit & miss. For instance, I bought Mission brand tortilla strips (in the brown bag) and ate guacamole with it - I was just fine. Odd! So I think maybe corn isn't going to be an issue as I go forward as I heal & get a company, like Mission, with dedicated Mfg. lines.

For an eliimination diet with our issues - it's tough. I wanted to do one and when I realized there was no true "safe" food for us Celiacs - I mean some people reacted to fruits & certain veggies - my choice was to eat simply with basic foods and pay attention to what didn't "set right". I'm at the point, in the past week, that I'm great about 80% of the time.

I would suggest you keep track of foods from certain mfr's. I think a lot of my own issues came from the processing even with foods I'm really not allergic to.

Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress. I'd like to know what route you take & how it works for you

FooGirlsMom

[mushroom]

Soy and corn were my initial other intolerances, along with lactose (not all dairy, i.e., casein) until I healed. I later discovered the problem with nightshades - the potatoes had been there all along unrecognized, but the others came later), and then I was hit by legumes and citrus. Through it all I have managed dairy and eggs with no problems. Because of the soy I decided to skip peanuts before they got a chance - there are plenty of other tree nuts out there without worrying about ground nuts.

From your eating habits you probably already have some clues of what might be bothering you. Your doctor's plan is a pretty good one and yes, you do go all the way back to a plain diet of meat, fruits, veggies, and keep retreating until you are eating nothing but things that do not bother you. Then you add things back in one at a time for three days, every three days, dropping those foods that produce a reaction. I would start with the foods that you are pretty sure you are okay with because this gives you a chance to expand your diet right away. I would challenge tree nuts and seeds early, as well as rice, giving you additional sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate.

Good luck with your dietary experimentation - I hope it works well for you. The meats that tend to work best are chicken and lamb, and if I were you I would try to avoid the nightshade veggies at first too just for good measure. It will feel like deprivation, but you can make lots of soups (hey, it is winter) and use lots of the root vegetables like turnips, rutabagas, as well as carrots, onions, parsnip, and also swiss chard and spinach. And it's not for long because you start adding things back in right away. Seven additional foods in three weeks

[laura4669]

Thank you both for your feedback! I really appreciate hearing about your experiences. I will keep you all posted on what works for me, and maybe that info will help you in some way. I have learned SO MUCH from this site in such a short time, it has been so helpful!

[Wolicki]

When I first went gluten free, I had so many intolerances, I could hardly eat anything. (The good news is that most went away). I did something very drastic, and made a big pot of chicken soup with carrots, celery and onions.

I ate nothing else for 2 weeks. Then I added things back in one at a time so that I could figure out which things were making me feel bad. It was tough, but it worked. Good luck to you!

[laura4669]

When I first went gluten free, I had so many intolerances, I could hardly eat anything. (The good news is that most went away). I did something very drastic, and made a big pot of chicken soup with carrots, celery and onions.

I ate nothing else for 2 weeks. Then I added things back in one at a time so that I could figure out which things were making me feel bad. It was tough, but it worked. Good luck to you!

That is drastic, but I'm glad it worked for you! I love homemade chicken soup, so I might try something similar, but I think I would have to add some rice just to have some carbs. Thanks!