I've been trying to eat GF, SF, DF, grain free for about 7 weeks....still have D and am waiting until next week to do my EnteroLab testing kit.
Well, we've had company and I've slipped up....how in the world do you stay so vigilant when at social functions all those around you are eating anything they want...I just caved (I wasn't terribly bad, but I know it doesn't take much). I know the answer is, "that you want to get / stay better"....and I truly do. I know I could take something else to eat, but that draws attention to you and then come the questions and I know I could eat before going, but then that draws attention to the fact that you're not eating....plus you want to enjoy the time with your spouse.
Maybe, just maybe if I ever see results from trying so hard, it will give me incentive to stay the course....but, if I don't stay the course, I may never see results. Does it ever get easier?
Yuck and Double Yuck!!!!!
Terre
I've been bad!
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
terre
over time, socialising and not craving tempting foods get easier...
when I was first Dx'd Gloria called it a switch in your brain, at some stage into the healing process it is not a big issue anymore...
for me, If I smell certain ingredients, I sort of think about them for about 30 seconds and then the craving or want is gone....
wellness is far far more important!!
over time, socialising and not craving tempting foods get easier...
when I was first Dx'd Gloria called it a switch in your brain, at some stage into the healing process it is not a big issue anymore...
for me, If I smell certain ingredients, I sort of think about them for about 30 seconds and then the craving or want is gone....
wellness is far far more important!!
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Good to know that it will get easier....I thought I was being so strong....WRONG!
I, too, seem to be able to smell chocolate when I walk by the candy in Wal-Mart....I tell myself "just don't look, just don't look" and walk on by! HA! Out of site, out of mind really does work (most times).
I'm just beating myself up for weak moments today...and wondering what the payoff will be.
Thanks for your reply.
Terre
I, too, seem to be able to smell chocolate when I walk by the candy in Wal-Mart....I tell myself "just don't look, just don't look" and walk on by! HA! Out of site, out of mind really does work (most times).
I'm just beating myself up for weak moments today...and wondering what the payoff will be.
Thanks for your reply.
Terre
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Re: I've been bad!
The problems you mention are all psychological problems which is why it is so important to work on your attitude as well as gaining knowledge of how best to eat. Two ways of thinking that have helped me is that instead of looking at my diet as deprivation I looked at is as a gift a give myself, the gift of health. Secondly I try to think of the foods that I now have to avoid as poison. Even if they taste delicious they are still poison and I have no interest in eating them. It does get easier over time. You figure out what you are going to say to people if they ask why you are not eating or try to force foods on you but all of this only works if you are fully committed to this way of eating so that is the most important place to start, with full commitment, which is also an attitude that you have to cultivate.terre wrote:)I know I could take something else to eat, but that draws attention to you and then come the questions and I know I could eat before going, but then that draws attention to the fact that you're not eating....plus you want to enjoy the time with your spouse.
Terre
Jean
Just want to add that I've been eating "weird" for a long time, low carb, mostly paleo with a little SCD thrown in. I finally got it right when I found this site but my earlier attempts at diet change were helpful just not the entire answer so I stuck to them pretty carefully. I no longer try to explain myself to people or expect them to understand. Some people will always think they know what you should do and will give out that advice freely and unhelpfully, so I just say something about having chronic digestive problems and leave it at that. I don't engage in conversation about it and they mostly just go on to other things. I am sure there are people out there who think I am some kind of nut. So be it.
Jean
Jean
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
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- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Hi Terre - please do not be too hard on yourself. I think many of us have done similar things.
It really does get easier as far as what you choose to eat. I have noticed my taste for foods has changed since being GF/DF/SF for such a long time. The old foods do not taste as good as I remembered them to be, so the aftermath was not worth it. My husband eats like I do (not because of MC but because it's easier to make one meal), and he says he prefers the way we eat.
I still have a problem with what people say whether I eat there at all, or if I pick to find something that is safe for me. So...I still need to get to where I don't care what they think, because my health is more important than their opinions.
IMO many/all the people who do eat that way, really shouldn't either. Many of them are already experiencing "symptoms" of whatever health issue they have developed, and some have not yet reached that point, but for those who have "symptoms" are more than likely masking their symptoms with prescription drugs and they never researched beyond that to know that a diet change could most likely eliminate their symptoms.
So... I like how Jean looks at it - the foods we can eat safely are a gift. The other foods are poison to our systems.
Paula
It really does get easier as far as what you choose to eat. I have noticed my taste for foods has changed since being GF/DF/SF for such a long time. The old foods do not taste as good as I remembered them to be, so the aftermath was not worth it. My husband eats like I do (not because of MC but because it's easier to make one meal), and he says he prefers the way we eat.
I still have a problem with what people say whether I eat there at all, or if I pick to find something that is safe for me. So...I still need to get to where I don't care what they think, because my health is more important than their opinions.
IMO many/all the people who do eat that way, really shouldn't either. Many of them are already experiencing "symptoms" of whatever health issue they have developed, and some have not yet reached that point, but for those who have "symptoms" are more than likely masking their symptoms with prescription drugs and they never researched beyond that to know that a diet change could most likely eliminate their symptoms.
So... I like how Jean looks at it - the foods we can eat safely are a gift. The other foods are poison to our systems.
Paula
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Do not beat yourself up! We have all made mistakes! I know how it feels to look like a 'freak' at holiday gatherings (with my Italian family pushing the pasta!), graduation parties, weddings, even small dinners parties!
I have avoided having anyone over to eat except immediate family, and when I have gone to social functions, I eat before I go and then I am not tempted to eat, and I concentrate on chatting with friends more than on food.
It is very hard, and we all understand! I actually prefer to use my sense of smell to satisfy my longing for some foods....I know that sounds silly, but my husband and I have a produce stand, and I savor the smell of the peaches, apples, & strawberries...to me, it's almost like eating it!
Just pick yourself back up and get on with life, trying to focus on things other than food like hobbies, family etc.
There will be a day when we can add other foods into our menu...there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I have avoided having anyone over to eat except immediate family, and when I have gone to social functions, I eat before I go and then I am not tempted to eat, and I concentrate on chatting with friends more than on food.
It is very hard, and we all understand! I actually prefer to use my sense of smell to satisfy my longing for some foods....I know that sounds silly, but my husband and I have a produce stand, and I savor the smell of the peaches, apples, & strawberries...to me, it's almost like eating it!
Just pick yourself back up and get on with life, trying to focus on things other than food like hobbies, family etc.
There will be a day when we can add other foods into our menu...there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
Thank you all for your words of encouragement...I so appreciate your advice.
Also, I found a local GF support group in my area that meets once a month - I went for the first time and didn't know the meeting lasted two hours, so I had to leave early (due to another obligation). I WILL go back....their topic of conversation was Cross Contamination. They were very welcoming and offered to help if I had questions and one lady offered to email recipes.
Terre
Also, I found a local GF support group in my area that meets once a month - I went for the first time and didn't know the meeting lasted two hours, so I had to leave early (due to another obligation). I WILL go back....their topic of conversation was Cross Contamination. They were very welcoming and offered to help if I had questions and one lady offered to email recipes.
Terre
HI Terre. I know exactly how you feel. After you "cheated", were your symptoms worse? If not, I understand even more why it would be hard to stay true to your diet. I don't think I am "cheating" very often, but I know that there are things in my diet that are probably keeping me from having normans most of the time. (or, I am getting cross contamination often). I just don't know what they are ( no I don't react right away) and I can't get tested. I have come to terms that normans are probably not going to be my "norm". As long as I feel good most of the time and only go once a day, I am ok with that. The stress of trying to figure it out and be perfect, I think, makes things worse. That's just my experience and opinion though. We all have to make these decisions on our own.
I usually eat before I go to a social event. I am going to a street fair today and just ate something. If I find something i believe to be safe, i will eat it. If not, I just tell people that I ate before I came. I have also pushed food around on my plate to make it look like I am eating. Ridiculous, I know, but sometimes it's just easier to do that then dodge the questions. Many people think i have an eating disorder ( because i am thin). Oh Well.
I eat popcorn. I make it myself with coconut oil. It's delicious.I even bring it in to the movie theater :)
Be good and don't stress about slip ups
Leah
I usually eat before I go to a social event. I am going to a street fair today and just ate something. If I find something i believe to be safe, i will eat it. If not, I just tell people that I ate before I came. I have also pushed food around on my plate to make it look like I am eating. Ridiculous, I know, but sometimes it's just easier to do that then dodge the questions. Many people think i have an eating disorder ( because i am thin). Oh Well.
I eat popcorn. I make it myself with coconut oil. It's delicious.I even bring it in to the movie theater :)
Be good and don't stress about slip ups
Leah
Thank you Leah...great idea to tell folks you ate before you came, but I also like the "pushing food around on your plate" idea....as well as all the other ideas that have been offered.
As far as the popcorn goes, do you use a microwave popping bowl (I just bought one)? I have a glass top range, so the old fashioned way won't work and I've read about the brown paper bag method, but would worry about starting a fire. Could you tell me the ratio of coconut oil to popcorn that you use?
I've been avoiding grains, so I do not know if popcorn would fall into the grain category.
To answer your question, I have not reacted "yet" and AM stool had two very small formed floaties....I have not seen anything that even resembles a norman since March 10th.
So you only go once a day....that would be great!!!!! My frequency varies, but consistency is still D.
Terre
As far as the popcorn goes, do you use a microwave popping bowl (I just bought one)? I have a glass top range, so the old fashioned way won't work and I've read about the brown paper bag method, but would worry about starting a fire. Could you tell me the ratio of coconut oil to popcorn that you use?
I've been avoiding grains, so I do not know if popcorn would fall into the grain category.
To answer your question, I have not reacted "yet" and AM stool had two very small formed floaties....I have not seen anything that even resembles a norman since March 10th.
So you only go once a day....that would be great!!!!! My frequency varies, but consistency is still D.
Terre
Terre,
For me it was very hard in the beginning. I think I felt pretty sorry for myself, everyone eating whatever they wanted and I couldn't. Then I got into the mindset that I would rather eat what was safe and not have D then eat whatever I wanted. It just wasn't worth it. I don't have a problem socially, like the others I eat before I leave home, and everyone I know is very supportive and understanding. Food intolerances are so widespread now that most people are pretty informative. Restaurants are getting so much easier too, so we eat out a few times a month.
If I am going to be gone for several hours and not sure if there will be food for me I always bring a smothie and pack it in a little cooler that looks like a purse. I also back fruit or other snacks too.
Don't beat yourself up, it will get easier and you'll get use to it. Give youself time.
Nancy
For me it was very hard in the beginning. I think I felt pretty sorry for myself, everyone eating whatever they wanted and I couldn't. Then I got into the mindset that I would rather eat what was safe and not have D then eat whatever I wanted. It just wasn't worth it. I don't have a problem socially, like the others I eat before I leave home, and everyone I know is very supportive and understanding. Food intolerances are so widespread now that most people are pretty informative. Restaurants are getting so much easier too, so we eat out a few times a month.
If I am going to be gone for several hours and not sure if there will be food for me I always bring a smothie and pack it in a little cooler that looks like a purse. I also back fruit or other snacks too.
Don't beat yourself up, it will get easier and you'll get use to it. Give youself time.
Nancy
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
The other element to social situations is, don’t feel like you have to defend /justify/ explain your eating plan (and why you are doing it…)
In social situations there are a couple of ‘rehearsed answers’ that I have used;
If people say ‘I could never give up pizza or beer etc’ I reply, once you have belly bali type diarrhea for days even weeks on end, where you cant leave the house, you will be surprised what you will be willing to give up!
And if people question why I am avoiding certain foods, I say the programming of my body is now a different language, and eating things like gluten or soy is like a poison to my digestion. Just like people will not go gulping down draino, metho or any other chemicals or poisonous substances, I do the same with foods/ ingredients….I avoid the items that are like poison to my body…
as you become more at peace about life with MC, your MC management plan, and you live life with minimal symptoms, you get to a stage where you dont give a bugg*r what others think! your health and wellness is too valuable!
In social situations there are a couple of ‘rehearsed answers’ that I have used;
If people say ‘I could never give up pizza or beer etc’ I reply, once you have belly bali type diarrhea for days even weeks on end, where you cant leave the house, you will be surprised what you will be willing to give up!
And if people question why I am avoiding certain foods, I say the programming of my body is now a different language, and eating things like gluten or soy is like a poison to my digestion. Just like people will not go gulping down draino, metho or any other chemicals or poisonous substances, I do the same with foods/ ingredients….I avoid the items that are like poison to my body…
as you become more at peace about life with MC, your MC management plan, and you live life with minimal symptoms, you get to a stage where you dont give a bugg*r what others think! your health and wellness is too valuable!
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hey Terre. Yes, popCORN is a grain. but I eat corn and rice products.
I use a Pyex bowl and put about 2 TBSP. of coconut oil in it and micro until it's melted. Then I put between 1/4-1/3 c. corn in and stir it up. I put microwave lid on it ( it actually fits perfectly) and pop for about 4 minutes. Listen to the popping. Everyone's microwave is different. It's very hot, so use pot holders to take out and pour into a different bowl! I salt it before eating. oh, and don't put cold water in a pyrex bowl while it is hot. it breaks!
leah
I use a Pyex bowl and put about 2 TBSP. of coconut oil in it and micro until it's melted. Then I put between 1/4-1/3 c. corn in and stir it up. I put microwave lid on it ( it actually fits perfectly) and pop for about 4 minutes. Listen to the popping. Everyone's microwave is different. It's very hot, so use pot holders to take out and pour into a different bowl! I salt it before eating. oh, and don't put cold water in a pyrex bowl while it is hot. it breaks!
leah