I recently got a food allergy test done and found out that I have a high sensitivity to all dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt etc.), Eggs (both the yolks and whites), Almonds, and Wheat and Gluten.  After the shoke wore off, because I love eggs and almonds!  I reluctantly took these items out of my diet for about a month and found that my constipation went away (I have always been chronically constipated, since I can remember) and I felt more energetic and alert.
Here are the changes that I made to my diet:
1) switched from almonds as a snack to cashews and walnuts
2) stopped eating eggs for breakfast and in salads, instead make chicken sausage, turkey bacon and grilled chicken
3) I have moved from cows milk to soymilk, I tried the tofu cheese and would rather just avoid cheese all together than eat that imitation cheese. Currently, I eat minimal amounts of feta or goat cheese sprinkled on a salad here and there.
4) Now this was the toughest, eating gluten and wheat free.  I found subsitutes, such as the gluten free pizza crusts at the farmers market, rice pasta, and Nana’s gluten free cookies (yum).
I have to admit that even with all of these great subsitutes I still struggle with the feeling that I am depriving myself of certain foods.  I think the feeling is more acute since I just returned from a 6 day vacation where I ate a lot more junk than I typically do, just because it was much easier than making everyone adjust to my food allergies.  I was in a new environment and not sure where to shop etc.
I could easily feel that I was much more tired, sluggish and foggy the whole time I was on vacation.     Now that I am back home to Colorado and back to my normal diet wheat/gluten, almond, dairy and egg free, I am feeling much better and more energetic, but I have to admit that I miss the vast food choices that I had on vacation.  Even dispite the tiredness it caused.
I know that this is all a mental state, I know for a fact that I am certainly not deprived of food or water, despite my allergies I can still eat a very wide range of foods that are readily available here in Colorado.  I still get frustrated that I have to think so much about what I put in my mouth.  I suppose this the typically American in me, that wants the convience, ease and speed when I eat.  I know that since I have been more aware of what I put in my body, I have been forced to slow down to think and plan in advance what I will be cooking and eating for myself.  If I don’t plan well and get hungry, I feel deprived as I drive past all the places where I can’t eat.
What are the upsides of not falling prey to this phantom deprivation I feel?
#1 I feel so much better, less sluggish and more energetic
#2 I am more regular, which is super important for my overall health and body
I know in the long term I am doing such a great thing for my body and mind.  I just need to re-frame my thinking from deprivation to longevity and good health.  I also have to remind myself that mainstream corporate America does not have my best health and nutritional needs in mind.
I am going to watch the new movie out called Food, Inc. this Friday about what has happened to food in America.  Should be interesting.  Maybe my next blog will be on it.  Check it out:  http://www.foodincmovie.com/.
Here is to your health and wellness.  If you are interested in finding out your own food allergies Dr. Tiffany Binder our Naturopathic Physician can do the test.  Call 303-357-9355 to schedule 15 minute appointment to get your blood drawn for the test, and once the results arrive she will review them with you personally to discuss how they might be affecting your health and lifestyle and what you can do to improve your energy and vitality.
To eating well.
In Health,
Sharon