Diane Friendly is a funny topic. Its often not what are you allergic too, its what can you eat. Over the years, my diet has changed periodically corresponding to symptoms and health status. Food sensitivities and food allergies have increased over the years in the world. I believe its because foods are just not as pure and simple as they used to be. More chemicals, GMOs, additives, sweeteners and corn syrup is added to everything that makes food undigestible and essentially poison to some people. People always ask me: How do you eat? What are you allergic too? How do you eat out? My answer is I read menus, look at ingredients and ask questions. My main allergies are corn, gluten, apples, black pepper and white pepper. There are more but these are the most common allergies to mention. These are the foods I look out for everyday. I usually try to keep my orders simple. I don’t mix too many food variables because that will cause me more symptoms. For example, if I have eaten an entree before, I might try a new appetizer but if I am trying a new entree, I won’t order an appetizer. The simple fact is if you tummy is sensitive, like mine, it is better to keep it simple. Let your body digest one plate at a time. Society today pushes, appetizer, entree and dessert but many times the mixture of so many variables is the issue. If you eat all of these things and you get an upset stomach, your body just can’t digest the food and it sticks around and causes symptoms. I used to eat dessert all the time but now, I don’t crave it and I won’t eat it until my meal has digested. I don’t need to add more sugar into my body while I am digesting my meal, it simply makes digestion slower. The easiest foods for me to order are usually a protein and a vegetable. I don’t usually eat rice because the only rice I can eat is jasmine or brown. The fact about rice is it is filled with starch and some has more starch than others, which I can’t digest. Vegetables and salad are usually not seasoned, which makes it a good side dish. But there are variables because I can’t eat all vegetables or salad, which means sometimes I won’t know until the food arrives. The protein that is usually not pre-seasoned is fish, for some reason beef and chicken usually are seasoned with pepper. I can tell you sometimes its not easy, I can go to a restaurant and not find one item I can eat. This happens in restaurants that have pre-seasoned everything. I have also had times that I order, say all my allergies, and still have a reaction. My reaction is immediate, gas, bloating and indigestion. The reaction can last hours or days. I can tell you the side effects are not worth the delight of eating foods I know I love but can’t digest. The suffering used to be daily, and I refuse to live that way. So, I take charge of my diet and keep snacks with me. I speak up for myself, I read everything, I find the best option on the menu and go with it. If I have a party to go to, I take an appetizer, snacks, alcohol or whatever I might need. The simple fact is that I can’t be sure that the events will be able to accommodate me, so I advocate for myself and stay prepared. The key to my success is eliminating and avoiding the foods that are harmful. Advocating for myself and keeping snacks handy helps me stay healthy and avoid symptoms. Do you have digestive issues? Do you eat and feel exhausted after? Do you get bloated and look pregnant? Do you have reflux? These are all signs that some foods are harmful for you. I can help identify the foods to eliminate and make a plan that is right for you. Give me a call the Consultation is Free.
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