Elimination Diet - Week 1



Week 1 of my Elimination Diet ended with the Rock the Parkway 1/2marathon on Saturday.  The race and my registration debacle deserve a separate post but the nutrition aspect is important.  Actually, what's important is that I didn't have any GI issues.



One of us was much more serious about this race than the other.

This last week has been a little tough and I did cheat a little (brand new package of 2-year aged white cheddar from WI.  I had to have a little).  But for the most part I was good.  I think coffee and cereal are what I miss the most.  Breakfast is the most difficult but I've found a good option, it just requires prep the night before.  One thing I learned is that when I cook, I always make more so I have leftovers in the fridge.  Other than fresh fruit, there is nothing quick to eat on this diet.

So right now, my preferred breakfast is banana quinoa with coconut milk.  I cook 1 cup quinoa as directed, then put in 2 overripe, mashed bananas, 1 tsp salt and coconut milk to cover and cook on low to combine.  I put it in the fridge and  eat it hot or cold in the morning.  Today I added blueberries as well.  I've been buying Silk brand coconut milk and it's pretty good.  It's fortified with calcium, which I need.  And it makes a great chai tea.

I'm feeling better and definitely less gassy.  Besides everything I listed last time, I found raw carrots also cause problems.  I also went to my primary care doc and have a referral for a GI specialist. I'll be calling this week.  It would be nice to have a professional agree with whatever I find (or tell me why I'm crazy).  So it goes on.  Week 2, here I come.

Elimination

It's been a while, I know.  I swear I'd blog more if I could do it one-handed.  Quick family update: Winston is battling a cold since January but otherwise he's about the happiest kid you can imagine.  Work is work, but that's for another day.  Half marathon training is... done for all intensive purposes.

Next week is Rock the Parkway and I'm not as prepared as I'd like.  Big surprise. We've had a rough month, sleep wise, which has left me chronically sleep deprived and lacking motivation.  On top of that, I'm still having lots if GI issues, which is usually reflected in the little one as well.

To be honest, I've always had GI issues but they've been manageable.  The gluten problem became noticeable when I started 70.3 races and when I was pregnant.  Since I love all things carbs, I went right back to gluten after Winston was born.  I don't know if gluten is my only problem or one of many.  So with a big push from John, I'm starting an elimination diet.  Today.  Right now.

I'm am not happy about this.  But apparently, since my problems are passed on to the munchkin, John is really tired of the two of us feeling like crap.  It was an elimination diet or go to a GI specialist.  This seemed the better option than having a scope stuck up or down anything.  But I'm still not happy. Especially since John has only committed to doing it with me "82%".  But he has graciously offered to eat all the food in the house that I can't have.  For the next. 3. weeks.

I'm going to try to do it all, which means eliminating gluten, legumes (soy, beans, etc), dairy (this will be a tough one), beef, caffeine, alcohol, nuts & seeds, and sugar.  What in the hell do I get to eat you ask?  Some meats, rice & quinoa, veggies, fruits, water & tea.  Except I have a hard time with green tea, so even that's out.

And I'm supposed to keep a diary of food, sleep, mood, etc.  After 3 weeks I can start to reintroduce foods in, one new food every 3-4 days to track any changes.  Let's get started: Day 1 - pissed off.  The neighbors are all standing outside in this gorgeous weather, drinking beer.  I'm trying to plan what in the hell I'm going to eat all week.  I should look at this as an experiment and maybe that will make it more tolerable.  We'll see.  If I can run the half on Saturday without any GI issues, it may be worth it.