Comments on: Phase II – Reintroduce, Rotate and Reflect

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:19:13 +0000

I started a couple of days behind the program as well, so won’t post on progress quite yet; (save to say I have developed a craving for apples spread with almond butter!)

For those with comments about food issues/allergies, and re-introduction, here is a somewhat brief bit of what I’ve learned on the topic.

Allergy testing comes up with a lot of false positives and negatives, so a food challenge like this one is really the way to go. After complete withdrawal of the questionable food/s for at least 10 days, (NO cheating, read labels fanatically, even on your vitamin pills) the trick is to introduce a small amount of one of the foods, then wait and observe for three days. It can take up to three days for symptoms to appear. Then, you can reintroduce the next questionable food, and follow the same process.

Symptoms may not be just gastrointestinal, (which is why doctors often take a long time diagnosing gluten intolerance). Arthralgias, autoimmune exacerbations, mysterious skin rashes are some common things to look for, and track during the withdrawal and reintroduction process.

If you tune in to your body, you’ll be able to ascertain whether you can eat small amounts of the food in question, or whether you need to avoid completely; everyone is different. Also, you can try fine-tuning; for example, some people with dairy problems can eat butter, if they are allergic to the milk protein, since butter is milk fat and not protein…just have to experiment and pay attention

Sorry if this is a long post, it’s hard to condense all the info; Scott and Mike are doing an awesome job of educating, thanks for that!

By: skustes

skustes — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:37:39 +0000

Robert, perhaps a little better than white sugar, though it’s MUCH higher in fructose. Here’s an article I wrote comparing sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, agave, etc.: Best Sweeteners. A little agave won’t hurt you, but how much is “a little”?

As for the grains, oatmeal and quinoa are gluten-free and therefore markedly better than wheat and it’s cousins (like barley). They aren’t great, but they aren’t as bad either. I use some quinoa sometimes.

Cheers
Scott

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:20:24 +0000

Hey,
just a few questions:
I started a few days late, so i’m on day 9 and things are going good.
Dropped coffee, grains, and booze with suprisingly no real effects. I was having 3-4 cups a day, oatmeal every morning, wine or beer or rum and cokes quite often.

Is Agave nectar a better alternative to white sugar? I don’t eat sweets and watch sugars in everything i eat for years, but have to have a bit in my coffee. If i have add a cup or 2 of coffee each day is a little agave OK?

also, I was normally eating oatmeal, qinoa, some barley. Are they the evil grains that i am starting to think they are?

Thanks

By: Mikey

Mikey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:39:03 +0000

Thanks guys,

This 30 day challenge has re-inspired me bigtime. Haven’t been following it to the T because I already have some of the habits. I’m paying a lot more attention to the quality of my food, more organic, no grains, no dairy. For my diet it always goes back to the same issue: Eat more vegetables! Cause I’m all set with meats and fats.

I’m starting my fasting day this week on Wednesday.

Keep up the great info.

Mike

By: sangita

sangita — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:32:21 +0000

Hello Mike. Been reading your site for while but the information in this 30 day challenge is simply awesome. I have already been doing a lot of this stuff (thanks to all the health info from sites like yours). My eating habits have changed radically. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and though I have’nt eliminated grains completely I have drastically reduced the quantity. I feel really good.
Like I said I have been reading your stuff for a while but these mails have been very inspirational and have kept me motivated so I felt like commenting and thanking you!
P.S The one on intermittant fasting was really informative.

By: Frances Blair

Frances Blair — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:05:02 +0000

While I’m unable to do the IF, the elimination of wheat, gluten & dairy has given me the flat tummy I’ve always wanted.
Thanks Mike!

By: Mike OD

Mike OD — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:40:27 +0000

@Kate – Nice job on getting your energy back, that is always a big plus. Now you know that you can do it each day. Not that having a cup of coffee is completely evil once in a while, just don’t let it take hold again and drain you like before (I like tea now more…and it’s a steady energy with the much lower caffeine too).

By: Mike OD

Mike OD — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:32:54 +0000

@Sam – That sucks, as I know we want to hear all the good stuff! Whenever I usually do a long reply anywhere I will cut and paste to notepad just in case (as it has happened to me as well). The good news is that you are allowed to eat this way as long as you like!

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:13:38 +0000

Hi and thanks so much much for this challenge. It’s been an eye opener and I’m getting good results. Stopping coffee was difficult the first couple of days, but what a difference being caffeine free! Things I’ve notice- I have much more energy than before. Now an all day meeting is a piece of cake instead leaving me drained.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:00:45 +0000

I just typed this huge comment – all positive with great stuff, and it didn’t post. So all I’ll say right now is “awesome stuff”. Feel great. Want to do this forever!