Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Elimination Diet, Again?!

I can't tell whether it's PMS, or the fact that I have added foods back into my diet after eliminating them for a week, but I feel like CRAP lately!


Source: iStockPhoto

Ok, I don't feel as bad as the lady in the picture above. My main problems are bloating (with no gas...) and lethargy. What's the deal?! I'm definitely blaming it on PMS, but I am starting to think perhaps I should have done the elimination diet a little longer. I've officially decided to put myself back on it... sort of. Here is what I will do:



- No more peanuts and/or peanut butter. I'm ok without it, believe it or not. I've been eating more almonds, almond butter, and almond milk. I never thought I'd say this, but I think I like almond milk more than soy milk, and almond butter more than peanut butter!!


Source: iStockPhoto

- No more Truvia (or at least, less for now). I'm officially a Stevia convert (thanks to Joanna who assured me that I would eventually start loving it!).


- Less dairy! Starting today I will only have ONE serving of dairy. This will most often be my plain Greek yogurt, which I love to eat with a handful of granola and some Stevia on top. Instead of ice cream I will continue eating my frozen blueberry and almond milk creation at night.


- Less beef and more organic chicken and fish. I can't go back to non-organic chicken. I am willing to pay the extra 2-3 dollars.


- No more popcorn. I think this is key. Since adding popcorn back into my diet (just two days ago, believe it or not) I have been waking up with stomach cramps. Again, this could just be a coincidence since my period is right around the corner, but I'm not so sure. Starting today I will go back to my plain rice cakes and nutritional yeast as a snack while watching shows late at night.



- No more chocolate. HA! Yeah right. Chocolate is back and here to stay :)


Source: iStockPhoto

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Today I am putting together my Christmas list. I have already decided some things to buy for my family and Nick's, but I'm still not sure what to buy Nick! I've also decided on a fun recipe to make for family and friends, and to give out as a gift. Can't wait to share this with you!

Today I'm also working on a project for National Nutrition Month. I am the public relations chair for the Columbus Dietetic Association so my job is to come up with a NNM project each year. This year's theme is "Color Your Plate". More details to come.


QUESTION: Have you started planning for the holidays??

22 comments :

  1. Well I am feeling like the lady in the photo and it's not b/c of PMS. Now, I am wondering what I ate...sigh!!!

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  2. Oh no! I am so sorry! I hope you can figure it out. I'm with you on the Almond Milk train. It is sooo much better than Soy Milk. No funny aftertaste.

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  3. Sorry you are not feeling well. I hope you'll figure out what's going on soon.

    Good job planning for the holidays. I haven't planned anything yet, but I know I should!!!

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  4. I've got a very rough Christmas list started and a few stocking stuffers bought. I need to get a move on that!!

    Sorry to hear you're feeling bloated. That has got to be one of the worst things! Personally, I find popcorn very hard to digest. It'll be interested to see if it's something you put back into your diet that has caused it or if it's truly just PMS....

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  5. Oh no! I will say, I have a stomach of steel, but if I eat too much popcorn, I get intense tummy cramps.

    Haha, I've already started buying Christmas presents too. I was going to post about this later today. :-)

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  6. But if you take away ALL of those, you wont be able to discern the culprit, which might just be one or two of them.

    I am hosting a few gatherings in the Pediatric Department at work: 1) A traditional cookie exchange where we bring 4 dozen cookies and take turns "nabbing" a dozen at a time (the first to "go" out wins a prize) and 2) a chili cook off the week after Thanksgiving.

    I am going to Turkey for Thanksgiving

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  7. Almond milk is SO delicious. Definitely my favorite dairy alternative. But the idea of no chocolate?!?! Not funny. Don't even joke. Now almonds WITH chocolate... Mmmmm!

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  8. X-Mass planning already?!?!? ahhh scary! lol :D I usually get really anxious just thinking about it....in other news; I cant wait to read more about your project for National Nutrition Month.
    ...Good luck with the adjusted elimination diet. It sounds like it should be much better this time around :)

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  9. Its true that almond milk is tastilicious, but the wonderful thing about cow's milk and soy milk is the 6-8g of protein that you get in each 8oz serving. Only 1g in almond milk - which means a higher glycemic index and less satiety. If your milk or milk subs are an important source of protein in your diet, be sure to take a closer look at the other places you can fill in that gap (you may be good just with your greek yogurt).

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  10. I didn't know you were so involved with CDA! That's great, Gina!! And you are SO prepared with the holidays. I need to make a list. Problem is, I never know what to get for ANYONE.

    I hope you get some relief. The dairy would be hard for me, but I could do all the rest...even the chocolate. I think... :)

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  11. I hope your tummy problems get better - I am always horribly bloated and gassy before my period.

    I was just starting to think about the holidays - my sister was asking me about it too! Time to start looking at recipes.

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  12. i'm kind of really sad for your popcorn loss! haha but if it works for you then i'm not. i wonder why popcorn makes you funky! mmmmm

    one of my favorite snacky snacks is rice cakes crumbled up and eaten with almond milk and cocoa powder! like rice cake cereal haha :)

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  13. I am totally working on the Christmas list too :) I've figured out everyone but Eric- this has to be some kind of record though, I usually don't even think about it this early.

    I have problems with popcorn too but I'm currently obsessed with it so I'm ignoring them haha.

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  14. Hope you start feeling better! I have also decided to put out the extra money to buy organic chicken.

    I just made my Christmas Shopping List yesterday. It will be here before we know it!

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  15. aww, sorry you aren't feeling too great after finishing the diet; hopefully you can figure out what's causing all of the trouble.

    i haven't started getting ready for christmas, but i'm trying to plan our local food thanksgiving. :)

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  16. Great idea with the elimination diet. I was feeling horrible today too after indulging in an amazing cupcake. The feelings after were not so great.

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  17. I can't wait for NNM. We're already starting to brainstorm activities for our campus nutrition club! I bought one of the Eat with Color tshirts yesterday at the FNCE store, it's pretty cute!

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  18. I've found myself backing off the popcorn, too. I *think* it bloats me and makes my stomach crazy...but then again, it's not one of those things I eat in moderation either. ;-)

    Good luck with that stevia, you can do it! ;-)

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  19. I didn't realize that popcorn could cause such issues. Hope your changes make the difference. Bloating is bad enough, but feeling lethargic has to make life more difficult.

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  20. Yikes! I hope you find the culprit. I agree with the commenter above that asked how will you know what food is the culprit? This seems very restrictive.

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  21. Sosorry that you just aren't feeling well! I hope you figure out what is causing it soon!!

    Have not even thought about the holidays yet other than I know my mother in law and I are hosting it this year!

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  22. oh man, sorry to hear about your tummy troubles. i'm suffering the same right now, but it's more vacaation food/wine induced. (haha...so good in the moment but i'll be working it off for awhile.) hope you find out what works for you! looking forward to reading more about "color your plate" :)

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