I got my test results and I am positive for everything...

[crervin]

Rachel,

So sorry to hear that you are not doing well! I have a kirkwood turkey breast that I got at Aldi's, $8.99. I took a picture but can't figure out to insert it here. The ingredients are turkey broth, salt, sugar, brown sugar, and natural flavors. If you could find an Aldi's in your area?? I make servings after I cook it in a crockpot and freeze individually. I so wished I could mail it to you!

Are you taking an antihistamine? Sorry I can't remember if you told me. After the reaction to the bananas and rice was it gas? I still can't eat bananas due to the histamines. I eat a half of one every 3 or 4 days. Most antihistamines contain corn, Zyrtec liquid does not. I believe the tablets contain lactose, if I remember correctly. You could also try Zantac (corn though) with the Zyrtec (H1 and H2 antihistamines), just to see if it helps until you get your diet figured out. If your having histamine intolerance it seems that it's quickly after you have eaten it, explosive gas, and my head always itches....

I hope this helps!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!

[jlbattin]

It's hard to find turkey without turkey broth also. Be wary of the broth. It usually has gluten in it. You have to do a lot of research and find what works for you.

[JFR]

Also the term natural flavors can mean almost anything.

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/12/a ... -gfoo6eM0A

"While the term “natural” evokes feelings of health and nature, in reality “natural flavors” are typically highly processed chemicals which, by themselves or in combination with other naturally derived chemicals, impart a flavor to prepared food. They are only called “natural” because the original source of the flavor additive is not manmade.

According to FDA, “The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

Essentially, anything added for flavor that is not an artificial flavor is a “natural flavor.” And, since food manufacturers do not need to disclose the ingredients of the “natural flavors” added, it can pretty much include anything, even something to which you are allergic.

For those with severe allergies, this can turn eating into a life-threatening activity. You can be vigilant in checking for ingredients before you buy a product, but if there are “natural flavors,” you cannot be certain of what may actually be in there."

Jean

[brandy]

Jean, good info!

[crervin]

Oh dear, I thought just that Jean, natural really meant what's naturally in there....it is my safe food. I have no symptoms with turkey or Cornish hens. I react more to histamines, so I go for frozen. If I get meat from the market that's been laying there for days, I have explosive D and itch all night long. Even while on my antihistamines. Chicken being the worst. I eat steaks once or twice a week. It's hit or miss with those....

I typically get the butterball turkey breast, it says gluten free. I get it from walmart or food city...Jari, that's the first I've noticed the turkey broth on there before. It's been awhile since I've bought that particular one. Will feed that to my family and go buy the butterball one.

Thanks guys!

Good info!

[Rachaelknatcal]

Thank you thank you thank you! You all are great and I'm very appreciative of your knowledge and help.
I live in Orlando FL. I've already checked at Publix, which is where the $70 turkey was, and Walmart and all they seemed to have was turkeys that had already been seasoned. I did a quick search for local butchers and I couldn't find much, I saw 2 or 3 that are about 25 mins away from me that looked kinda like farmers markets, so I will give those a try when I get the time. I have never had venison or elk or any of those type of meats, but I will definitely try if its something that might not cause me pain.

[Rachaelknatcal]

Just read through this and realized there was a third page. No, I am not taking an antihistamine at the moment. There is an Aldi close by so I will try there as well. Thanks for all the info, "natural flavors" is one thing I have been cautious about.

[Gabes-Apg]

Rachael
WholeFoods is place that you can get untainted meat supplies, and they normally stock Lamb, which as Tex has mentioned most MC'ers can tolerate with minimal issues.
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/orlando

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/departm ... cle/turkey

hope this is nearby

[JFR]

I order most of my meat in bulk online from places that don't add potentially toxic substances to their meat. I get mostly ground meat to keep it more affordable. It's something to consider if you can't find the meat you want in local stores.

http://grasslandbeef.com/

https://www.texasgrassfedbeef.com/

Also it is always frozen which is a benefit for those with histamine issues. If you know what you can eat safely this is a good alternative. Here are the 2 venison and elk sources I mentioned previously:

http://shafferfarms.com/

http://www.brokenarrowranch.com/

Of course these sources usually cost a lot more than what you can get at your local super market. For some people the cost is prohibitive. I prioritize food quality and save on a lot of other areas in my life. Living alone and having only myself and the dog to worry about makes that easier to do than if I lived with other people.

Jean

[crervin]

thank you so Jean! I'm thinking about ordering the ground meat, it is cheaper. My grocery bills are through the roof trying to feed a family of 5.

I think I may have found a turkey without the "natural flavor". Its Empire at publix in the freezer section. Its a little pricey at $6 a pound, but not too awfully bad. Their a little over 6 lbs. Vegetable diet, antibiotic free, and frozen. They also have a frozen chicken, it was $14. I got it and can't wait to try it.

Sadly WholeFoods don't freeze their turkeys. I've tried theirs and didn't tolerate it. That was at the beginning of my diet though. Everyone is different.

[Rachaelknatcal]

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the replies, that's a lot of great info!
I've been making a lot of progress and am feeling better. I did go to whole foods, and looked around for some meats and I found turkey drumsticks, so I got those. I haven't tried them yet but I will post how it goes once I do. I have been super strict on my diet, and I tried canned yams, and they seem to be safe. I've also tried bananas again and I'm not sure if they are safe or not...sometimes I get pain after eating one and other times nothing happens. I have been eating just those two things for about a week and I haven't had hardly any pain...only before having a bowel movement. I was still constipated for a while but I have been drinking the pear juice as suggested, and that gives me pain but it definitely gets things moving! It's been about 3 days since the last time I had some and I'm having normal bowel movements now...like perfect size and shape...this has never happened to me before lol!
I have also gone through my shampoos and conditioners, lotions, soaps etc and am getting ready to sell almost all of them on ebay, because majority of them contain oats I did buy Dove shampoo, conditioner and bars of soap, the only thing I need now is a good face wash. The one I have been using contains tocopheryl acetate which I have read is unsafe. I couldn't seem to find a safe one when I did a quick browse at walmart.
I am planning to go to a farmers market or store like that to look for more types of meat. I did ask the butcher at whole foods if they had venison and he said they stopped selling it last year.
On a side note, I just found out yesterday at work I am being transferred to a position I've been waiting for, for a few months! I work at Disney World and just got transferred to be a character attendant, which means I will get to escort the characters through the park to meet guests, walk along with the parade, help backstage at the shows etc and I am SO excited!

[Gabes-Apg]

Martha (crevin) the wholefoods suggestion was so that Rachael could look for other meat sources like Lamb, etc.

Rachael - congratulations on the job options, and that you are making progress!! normal BM's iss good!
it is lots of energy at first, checking everything and double checking everything to minimise the triggers, once you get some safe meals sorted, things will be less intense
keep up with the magnesium, it will help maintain regular healthy poop!

hope you enjoy the turkey drumsticks..

[tex]

Rachael,

You're really making progress now. And congrats on the work transfer. Doing work that you really enjoy is bound to help lower your stress level, and anytime we can lower our stress level, that's a huge plus.

If you've never experienced normal BMs before, then a transition to normal is not just good — it's awesome.

You're on your way to recovery.

Tex

[crervin]

So happy for you, Rachael! You've been on my mind. Yay about your job! If you ever have any free tickets laying around, 5 to be exact..... . That job sounds so fun!

[sunny]

I've been reading through all the helpful tips you've received and picked up some great ideas too. I had similar scores in 2013 and had that same feeling of what in earth do I eat? Additional health challenges moved my focus from my gut to my heart and I soon lost touch with this group. I also "forgot " the foods that were problematic and began eating chicken & tuna again which was my undoing. I'm glad you found this group because along with the learning you will absorb, you will have that contact with others who truly understand what you are going through. So glad for your success with your eating and that you have such a fun job to look forward to!
Sunny