I’ve decided to hop back on the Paleo low-FODMAP eating plan. (What are FODMAPs? Click here.) This past month has been more down than up in terms of my health, and the worse I felt, the more lazy I became in my eating (which I’m sure made me feel even worse). I was grabbing a bar for breakfast, maybe even a bar for lunch, scrounging for a dinner I wouldn’t have to spend any time on. In short, my diet had become mostly processed.
Yesterday was my breaking point. I felt like I had been hit by a train, the heartburn wasn’t going away, and my brain was a foggy mess. Something had to give.
I had a chat with my friend Kate who is the leading authority on FODMAPs and she gave me a link to her updated shopping list. (FODMAP research is changing all the time, so it’s important to have the most recent information). I grabbed the shopping list and headed to the store. Kate agreed that I should follow her list but cut out the grains (for now), so I picked up fruit, veggies, meat and poultry and headed home.
Instead of stressing over meal-planning, I’m keeping it simple this time around by throwing meat (or chicken) in the crockpot, turning it on low, and eating on it for a few days. Last night I had pork, carrots, and a few strawberries. This morning I scrambled up some eggs with swiss chard, and added some strawberries and walnuts on the side. I also re-stocked my probiotics and digestive enzymes (laziness had spread to my supplements as well).
I’m tired of being tired. My friends are tired of me being tired. My family is tired of me being tired.
Let’s hope this eating plan helps.
To my celiac friends out there, when do you feel your best? What kind of gluten-free diet do you follow?
My family is trying to eat Paleo too, so I’m excited to see what Paleo meals you share in future blog posts. Hope you feel well soon!
Have you consider having either LEAP or ALCAT testing? I had the ALCAT testing and was AMAZED at what foods are my immune response triggers… some of the stuff that you would think would be totally immune building, but is responsive for me. Just wondering if that might help you narrow down which foods – instead of food groups – are problematic?
Either way, hugs going out to you and hoping for the best.
I’ve thought about it but heard conflicting information about the accuracy of the ALCAT test. Has it helped you?
Hang in there! I can totally relate but for other health reasons (I have Meniere’s Disease and am battling vertigo/dizziness right now). I haven’t blogged about it just yet but plan to in the next week. I’m so exhausted, fatigued and plagued by brain fog most of the time and it is tough to get through the day, work and take care of my family. My husband has been my hero lately. Some days are better than others thanks to steroids though not a long term solution in my case. And if it weren’t for my slow cooker I don’t know what I’d do! 🙂 Wish I had some miracle advice but wanted to let you know you are not alone. Hugs!
I have Celiac (for 4 years now) as well as a soy and oat allergy. But I also choose to eat egg, dairy, and meat free (except for chicken and fish). I find eating minimally processed and whole foods is the way to go for me. I have not felt better and my immune system and recovery time after workouts it at the best I have ever seen it! I hope you start feeling better and get your energy back. I know what it is like to be tired and sick all the time and takes hard-work to figure out how to get out of that rut. But once you find what works for you, you will bounce right back!
Thank you Rebecca, I needed those words of hope today!
So sorry you’re feeling exhausted but hoping the eating will help. Love the honesty about what happens to a “healthy” person’s diet when motivation isn’t there. I feel my best paleo-ish but will have gfree grains here or there. Have to disagree with commenter above, I’m all for info but ALCAT testing makes people so obsessive and not sure they’re reliable.
I made the decision to go paleo for now based on the fatigue I had after eating a wild rice blend a few times last week. I just need to cut it all out for a while. And thanks for the comment about honesty, I’ve been really trying to embrace “just being me” on here. Do you feel the same way about the LEAP as you do the ALCAT?
I think changing your diet is a great way to start! And the key to healthy living is a healthy diet. Just make sure you are still getting the proper amount of nutrients into your body. I know from experience that it is difficult to meet all the requirements but that is why I have began using organic wild harvested super fruits and food based producs (ie. greens, mila) to make up for what I don’t get through meals.
I’m not going to use the work Paleo – but I am trying to limit my grains and processed foods as well. I too, am tired of feeling like crap all the time and being consistently tired. I’m also getting my thyroid and adrenals tested too. I’m stocking my B and D vitamins back again and trying to incorporate more protein into meals (like a shake with protein powder instead of just toast in the morning). But I will never give up cookies.
I won’t give up cookies forever…just for now 😉
I am trying to eat non-GMO and that has GREATLY helped me. I figured some of those GMO foods are the real root to my problems. I buy quality non-GMO foods and I’m feeling WAY better. It’s an every day battle. Hang in there.
Best of luck- hope you’re feeling better soon! As for me, I found out that reducing my dairy intake (huge cheese lover) made me feel a lot better / less fatigued. I stick to a mostly vegan diet approach, dairy every once on a while, lots of whole grains (buckwheat, millet, quinoa, brown rice on occasion). Hope the paleo/FODMAP works for you!!!
I’ve actually tried going low-FODMAP once, before I knew I had celiac. I was still eating gluten-contaminated grains, and also seem to be a slow healer, so at the time it didn’t seem to help. I’ve considered going back to it, but I am really hoping I won’t have to. I’m a vegetarian and want to stay that way, so although it would be possible, it’d be tough. I don’t want to give up legumes! I’ve decided to give myself at least another six months before I go down that road. Good luck to you with the diet!
When I follow a strict paleo diet I feel the best. Anytime I put grains into my system, I feel horrible….
I’ve been a diagnosed celiac for about 2 1/2 years and I feel best when I stay mostly dairy free (only eat butter, sour cream, heavy cream) and mostly grain free. I occasionally eat small amounts of gluten free oats, but do my baking with almond or coconut flour. I do my best to just eat whole foods and avoid processed sugars. Nightshades, specifically tomatoes and white potatoes, seems to be inflammatory for me as does processed sugar. I’m human and I do backslide occasionally but when I stay with that diet I have lots of energy – more than at any time in my lifetime – so hang in there and figure out what works for you.