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| Common Hidden Food Allergens: Wheat, Dairy, and Eggs |
I totally “cheated” on my diet last week. It was a stressful week that ended in celebration (see my post Perfunctory), so my husband and I went to our favorite restaurant for dinner. I was so tired of everything, I just decided to order and eat whatever I wanted. I’ve been wanting to try eating wheat, dairy and eggs again to see what happens, so I figure now was as good of a time as any. I’m not celiac and I don’t have true allergies to anything, so I knew it wasn’t going to do much harm.
I was totally prepared to suffer the consequences, but they never came. I kept waiting for that familiar ache in my abdomen to return, but it didn’t. Can it be that I have actually healed? I hope so! I really enjoyed our meal. I had salad with blue cheese dressing, half of a popover with honey butter, seared scallops and asiago hash brown potatoes. It was so good, but I kept thinking, “Boy, I’m going to pay for this tomorrow.” But nothing happened.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that I will go back to eating “normal.” For the most part I will continue to eat the way I have, but it’s good to know that if I want to indulge every once in a while, I can, without getting sick and pain.
I read in Hidden Food Allergies by James Braly that you can actually heal from food intolerance by not eating the food for a number of months (they recommend three to six months). I found this book to be helpful, but they recommend IgG allergy blood tests to determine intolerance, which have not been proven to be very accurate. I think an elimination diet is probably the best bet to determine food sensitivities. At least, that’s what worked for me.
I wanted to go six months without dairy, but only made it three. I made it about eight months without eggs. I thought I had an intolerance to potatoes, so I stopped eating them for several months, but then started eating them again. I figured I was mistaken in thinking I had an intolerance to potatoes, but now I wonder if that break from them was all that I needed.
It feels wonderful knowing that I don’t have to be so strict anymore and can loosen up a bit. I will continue to eat natural, whole foods and avoid wheat, dairy and eggs as much as I can, but it feels great knowing I can maybe eat a slice of pizza (next on my list!) without having too horrible of a reaction.
How about you? Has anyone else realized that they have “healed” from a food intolerance?
I've had the exact same experience, although I've been on a low FODMAP diet for over 3 years now. I'd say at about year 2 I realised I could indulge every once in a while, but I continue to do as you said you intend to – eat mainly a low FODMAP diet, but not worry too much when I need to eat some wheat or legumes. Onions are still tough, which makes me sad, but otherwise it feels pretty good to not have to stress out about those times when you just want to eat 'normally'. It made my trip to France much, much better than it would have been otherwise. I have no idea how I would have survived on a low FODMAP, vegetarian diet there (they love their wheat…and pork. So much pork.)
This is so encouraging to me. I love nothing more than oatmeal and it gives me the worst nagging pain in my gut that I just hate. Most grains do. I've been healing my gut with L-glutamine, watching my diet closely, and taking extra enzymes and probiotics. I feel great! I just hope one day I can return to eating grains again. I also found eggs, dairy, and most fish don't do well for me. They all give me the worst headache so I just went vegan and called it a day, yet I'd love to be able to enjoy a hearty day of oatmeal again. It's one of my favorites! Even gluten-free oats bother me. I don't have an allergy so can't seem to figure out why. Thanks for sharing this though- it truly is inspirational!:)
Great news Sarah! I agree, it will make traveling, vacations and holidays much easier.
I hope you can go back to eating grains someday too! I'm with you, I love oatmeal. I went through a time where I couldn't eat them either, but now I'm eating them every day.
I have been able to reincorporate cheese every once in a while with seemingly no ill effects. I am hoping I can try gluten again – the only thing I miss is Ezekiel bread. I will never be able to eat sugar or anything high carb normally ever again, but I do hope to be able to indulge in the occasional dessert and glass of wine within the next 6 months or so. I'm so glad your dinner went well! I would love to be able to just eat what I want for one dinner, but I've only been on my diet for about 7 months and want to wait until the year mark until I cheat every once in a while!
Only 5 months to go then – you can do it! I hope you will be able to eventually have a "cheat meal" every once in a while.