The only change I have currently adopted is a wheat free - gluten free diet. This was necessary because of extremely itchy skin. I have been totally gluten-free for only a few months and have seen a big improvement.
I was starting to eat gluten free when I lived in Illinois and while traveling. Then I arrived at my job at Mesa Verde and I was eating the free or discounted pizzas, sandwiches, etc. that they offered to us during orientation and training and when we worked in the park.
I was frustrated with the itching and scratching and decided I had to go back to the gluten free diet. I do not believe I have Celiac disease and will not spend the money to be tested.
This one change has made a big difference. I no longer have itchy skin, no more scratching, no more marks on my skin. I could have chosen to go to a doctor and receive prescriptions (again) for cortisone and steroids and who knows what else. But long term use of these RX products will cause other health problems.
Did you know that a lot of shampoos and lotions and hair products contain wheat?
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http://engine2diet.com/the-daily-beet/jonathons-story-what-happened-in-3-months/
Although I have not adopted a totally vegetarian diet, I do eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. I have read a lot about vegetarian, raw and Paleo diets.
How do you determine what is the best for you?
I don't think it is one size fits all.
There are unhealthy vegetarians eating processed fake foods just because they do not contain animal products.
I think the important thing is to reduce the amount of processed foods that we consume.
There are a lot of gluten free processed foods and I am trying stay away from them. I look at the package and see the high sodium and/or sugar grams and decide I don't need it.
Eat only real food. Not from a box or can. Reduce sodium.
Ok, I don't want to preach, because I don't know what is right or wrong.
I just wanted to share the link above for anyone that is suffering from Diabetes.
It's tough to know what to eat with all the "diets" and recommendations out there. For now I'm just trying to eat a more balanced diet with less processed foods. Tough when you are working nights, but trying to do our best. Glad to hear the itching has stopped. I say go with what works!
ReplyDeleteMy husband went gluten free last year..has been doing great with any stomach problems since. He can tell immediately when he eats something with gluten now. A dvd that I enjoyed was Forks over Knives...amazing how you can change your whole body with diet and exercise...not easy and definitely time consuming but so worth it!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear gluten free works so well for you. It is interesting how many people have both dairy and wheat allergies. Makes me wonder how my grandparents did it but I suspect that's because they produced their own dairy and wheat. Therein lies the problem in my mind. Processed is not good and nearly everything is processed with additives these days including our meats.
ReplyDeleteForks Over Knives and the China Study both made big impressions on me. I eat pretty much just vegetables, fruits and some tofu that I use for its protein but I'm very careful there to make sure it is organic since soybeans, corn, potatoes are nearly all GMO these days since no labeling is required. It's amazing how difficult eating has become since industry took control of it and refuses to tell us in lots of cases how they have processed this food or whether it has been genetically modified. Great topic! Michael Pollan is another source of intersting easy to read info about foods.
Sounds like you are on the right track. I, too, try to eat lots of fruits and veggies, fish and chicken. I have no allergies or food related health problems that I know of, but obviously fresh, unprocessed foods are the best for us. And candy, of course. And - ice cream. :)
ReplyDeleteSherry is right..we need to spend the money on organic...small farmer market if we can find them. I was thinking of another story from a while back...someone went to work where they processed Swanson frozen dinners...part of the deal they could take home as many as they like which they thought was great at the beginning. After being there for a month they never brought another one home...which goes to show what happens in those processing plants. I will be back to read the comments...this is something that I would like to see more about in blogland. Anymore when I see posts on recipes that call for 3 sticks of butter etc...I just cringe. Not judging but people are just doing so much harm to their bodies...I am far from perfect for sure but we have to keep trying...
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I will be reading the Diabetes and really doesn't follow her diet. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteCool beans. Hard to stay away from gluten, but it sounds like it's worth it for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on staying away from pie... If I can do that .. I can conquer the world !
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the gluten free is working for you. I try to eat low carb. When I am sticking with it is when I feel my best and have more energy. When I cheat I get sluggish and just don't feel well. Contrary to what some believe low carb is not all about bacon and steak...lol. The net result of my low carb eating is I have cut out most all processed foods, white flour, white rice and processed sugar. While doing that I have tripled my daily vegetable intake. Yes, I eat steak, but only the regular portion size and then gorge on veggies. Like you said, everyone is different and this is what works for me.
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