Back on Track
This weekend was my husband's big 3-0 party! Parties are kind of a big deal in his family, so instead of adding extra stress of what I could and could not eat, I decided to eat with the family and enjoy the moments together. It was a fantastic weekend, but I am sooooooo ready to get back to my new "normal".
For the last couple of years my digestive issues have gotten progressively worse, so after a LONG Fourth of July weekend, I decided enough was enough! I needed to do something. I decided to start a modified "autoimmune diet", so no dairy (casein, whey, lactose-everything) or gluten.
That was July 5, 2015 and up until dinner, September 25, 2015 (just a few days ago) I did it! At first I was a bit frustrated because it seemed there was NO food I could eat. In some ways I still feel that way-you'd be surprised how many things have either dairy or gluten. It is hard to do BOTH, but I have also found that there are some amazing foods out there! I was forced out of my comfort zone and I truly am so grateful!
Things I have learned so far:
1. Mindful Eating
I've written before about mindful eating, and when you take a common ingredient out of your everyday diet, you certainly do become more mindful. It isn't as tedious as tracking my food (which I will soon incorporate again) but I am making better food choices simply because I am more aware of what ingredients are in food. As I more consistently read ingredient lists, I have found that I purchase more foods with less in them, which are more wholesome for our bodies to begin with!
2. New is Yummy
In the past I used dairy for everything-I LOVE me some ranch and cheese!-so cutting dairy has been a major game changer. I have found that I love bbq sauce, balsamic vinegar, or homemade avocado cilantro dressing on my salads instead of ranch. I enjoy SmartBalance butter substitute for things that I want to taste "buttery". Mashed potatoes made with broth (and maybe some almond milk) instead of milk tastes super delicious and most people can't taste the difference. I have tried goat cheese-not my favorite after flavor, but the things I used to put cheese on still taste good, just...different. My favorite frozen dessert brand so far is So Delicious because quite frankly they are so delcious! The point is, the way I usually do things isn't necessarily the most flavorful or delicious-it is what I am used to, so changing the "norm" can be a yummy and invigorating experience. Forget food fatigue-explore new options!
3. It is Everywhere
Start checking labels-seriously. Even if you're not cutting ingredients, check them out. You'd be surprised what has gluten or dairy in it. Some companies conveniently state on their label if something is gluten free or if it contains allergens. Others unfortunately do not, but it is definitely becoming more mainstream. I was shocked to find that (most) soy sauce has gluten, nearly all season packets from the store contain wheat or whey, and things like pasta sauce can contain dairy. Just because something is "gluten free" doesn't mean that it doesn't have dairy (that's been kind of disappointing). It is EVERYWHERE!
4. I FEEL Better
I'm not sure if it is the dairy or the gluten, but eliminating the como has made a world of difference! I feel so much better, and not just digestionaly! My stomach is flatter, I have more energy, and I feel less hungry. Before, I would feel like I NEEDED more food-even if I felt stuffed/bloated. Now I don't feel that stuffed/bloated feeling AND I don't feel compelled to eat more.
I'm not naive enough to think that because it has worked for me it will work for everyone, but if you are in a rutt and feeling crummy, seriously give it a try. Pick ONE to eliminate for 4 weeks (we can do anything for a month) and see how it makes you feel. Because I DO feel so much better, I am definitely getting back on track after this fun filled weekend. It was a great splurge, but my body is ready for the healthy food it loves.
This morning's breakfast was a fabulous protein shake filled with power foods to start the week off right. Vega's plant-based protein is dairy and gluten free (and relatively cheap at Costco) and the PBfit is a peanut butter powder that is about 1/5 the calories of regular peanut butter and full of nutrients. Seeds are always a good idea to add to your shakes-this morning I added chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds. Lastly, fruit is a natural sweetener packed with important vitamins and minerals. Yay! A shake like this keeps you feeling fuller longer as well as providing the energy boost needed to start the day right!
Here's to improving health one food, shake, and day at a time!
