Determing the fine line of food sensitivies

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:45 am

Last night I made a caprese salad. While picking some fresh basil I remarked to DH that I thought I might be somewhat allergic to it. It makes me feel like I could sneeze. But I ate it anyways, as I've always done in the past. I got some heartburn/indigestion and what I was definitely tasting was the basil. Pre MC I know I ate foods that might cause a bit of distress but I never REALLY paid attention or tried to determine what it was. I've never done the MRT tests but suspect basil wouldn't show as a green food. I continue to find this all such a balancing act. I am somewhat hesitant to restrict my diet too much as I'm afraid I'll end up with a very restrictive diet. On the other hand, if something is causing damage I don't want it in my body. :penguinaspin:

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 6:28 pm

I'm not sure basil could actually cause damage., but if you know it's going to give you discomfort, you might want to scratch that one off your list. I hear you about limiting too much. I am constantly trying to add things back in in VERY SMALL AMOUNTS. It seems to be working somewhat. A little salad here, a little tomato there, a little "spice" . It seems like I just have to really watch the portion. :) It makes socializing much easier.

Leah

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 6:48 pm

I hear you. Call it denial, but I don't want to go there with Enterolab testing, in fear of hearing there are even more ways I'll have to restrict what I eat. Right now, I feel like things are going well enough. I already feel like some friends and family are wary of socializing b/c of my food issues, even though I feel like I make it abundantly clear that I will manage my own eating, bring/shop for my own food, preview menus and figure out what I can eat, and that I don't expect anyone who is cooking a meal for others to cater to my needs. I still run into annoyance from some folks with my having to ask questions, as if I do it to draw attention to myself.

Christine. · Post by **Christine.** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:46 pm

Suze
I can relate to all of what you said in your last post, and to Leah's little food tests. I was happily eating eggs and doing ok until the darn Enterolab tests showed it was a no no. I am doing too well the way it's going to discover more restriction.

I don't usually have trouble eating at friends' houses since they seem anxious to please and ask all kinds of questions and if not...I bring my own. (Actually, come to think of it my mini flare this week had to come from a "safe"dinner at friends house). . But eating out with other people is worse. If I know in advance where we are going I try to do advance research. I hate taking time when ordering in a group and I do believe people think I'm a prima Dona to go through the laundry list of multiple sensitivities.
Christine

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:00 am

You are right, eating out is the worst! I'm going to a 4th of July BBQ tomorrow and who knows what I will be able to eat. At least with a BBQ, there is usually protein ( and I can eat all of them).

Leah

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 4:52 pm

Suze, I did Enterolab (twice). The first time my gluten reading was off the charts - 500+ while my other ones were in the teens. I, perhaps mistakenly, interpreted that as I just really needed to get rid of gluten, which I had already done a month before. I continued to eat the rest, dairy, soy, and eggs with no discernable reactions. I did fine with that for a couple of years until a few months ago when I had a stomach "bug" which seemed to lead into an MC flare which lasted for nearly a month. My typical MC symptoms have abated but my energy levels are low, my essential tremors are not good but perhaps improving, and my stress level has been high. I am looking at thyroid issues as well. Deb