Well...the list has gotten longer. Due to health concerns and issues including increasing migraines and hormone issues (especially horrible/awful/debilitating cramps). I decided to do some experimenting with my diet. In the process of experimenting, I am trying to figure out what the non-negotiable food items are for me.
The first thing that I did was go on an extreme detox - pretty much eating only vegetables, beans, and quinoa. Things that I wanted to avoid were things with possible added hormones or chemicals that may be causing my body to react in negative ways. Things I specifically avoided were any type of corn, any gluten, meat (except wild caught fish), dairy, soy, and sugar. I think that is all. This started February 18th, 2013.
I continued with this diet the entire month of March as well.
Being on this diet made an extreme difference with monthly cramps. I could actually function!! This was something that I was not used to! It also immediately caused my 3-4 migraines a week to decrease to 0 migraines a week.
I believe that I am dealing with two separate (yet probably linked somehow) issues.
The only thing I have not had once still is corn products. Tho this is very difficult. It is important to me. I have not had any migraines since Feb. 18th! I am drawn to believe that the migraines were not only triggered by corn syrup but also by corn! This was a huge relief to have the freedom from pain once again.
As far as the other foods, I am trying to see what has an effect on my hormones. What I need to call a non-negotiable food and be extreme about keeping out of my diet, and what is ok to have once in a while. So I did some more experimenting. I have added back in grass-fed beef and quality hormone free chicken.
The month of April I was at SBR two different weekends, so I decided it would be a good month to try regular dairy (especially since cottage cheese- my favorite- is on the salad bar every day!) So I had normal cheese and cottage cheese for that month. It did not go well, for that month I had cramps that were much worse than normal.
The month of May I went back on only limited amounts of organic dairy and added gluten back in - but only organic gluten. I am glad to say that this month was pain-free and I was able to do everything I was planning on doing!
That is where I am at for right now. I have been researching what is really important as far as buying organic and what I can skimp on. (Organic is expensive). So far my non-negotiables are apples, strawberries, dairy, wheat, and peanut-butter) If anyone has any expert advice on this topic, I am still researching. PLEASE comment and let me know.
As I go, I will be posting more of my meals (because my sister asked) and my tips for eating away from home etc... This is all for now. :-)
