Currently…
As my journey continues I’ve become quite sick of feeling sick. The exhaustion, foggy brain and pain have been really difficult for me the past few months. In an effort to feel better, gain energy and get my life back while dealing with thyroid cancer I sought out a naturopathic doctor to help lead the way.
She is a great doctor but is not replacing my endocrinologist or primary physician in any way. I’m just hoping that maybe with her help I can start to feel a bit better than I have been lately. My primary care will remain with my endocrinologist and GP but if there are some more holistic things I can do to make my life better then I’d like to try and do them.
At my first appointment we talked a lot about my medical history and how I was feeling. Based on what I told her she thought I might have some food sensitivities and that we should check them out through a blood test.
Food Sensitivities
We went ahead with the blood test and I recently got back my results. Apparently I have a leaky gut and am sensitive to gluten, eggs, all dairy, peas, corn and sesame. I’ve been told to go gluten free, dairy free and egg free for the next six months at which point I will hopefully be able to reintroduce some of these foods back into my diet.
The ND told me that within a few weeks I should start to feel better.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free – What’s Left?
These are going to be difficult changes to make but if they make me feel better it will be worthwhile.
I’ll be focusing on fruit, veggies, gluten free grains, nuts, lean protein and beans. Luckily after having to do the Low Iodine Diet twice, I’ve found some yummy recipes to get myself started including my vegan gluten free chocolate chip muffins (made with oat flour) and my gluten free pasta with avocado sauce.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free – The Plan
I’m starting out the first week completely dairy free since I think that will be the easiest for me to incorporate into my life. I’m also going to significantly reduce gluten and eggs but not give myself such a hard time about it this week. Over the next few weeks I’ll gradually move to becoming completely gluten, dairy and egg free.
Another part of my plan will be to make more of my lunches for work rather than purchasing meals that might include items I’m sensitive to. I’m also researching vegan and gluten free websites for recipes to try and figuring out how to replace eggs in baked goods (I tried flax seeds and water in gluten free pancake mix and it worked pretty well). For some much needed inspiration I’ve started a Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free Pinterest Board and I hope this will help with my meal planning.
So much in life is attitude so I’ve decided to take this on as an adventure. We’ll see if it works and if my health improves. It will also be fun to challenge my creativity in the kitchen. We’ll see how it goes and I’ll keep you posted!
Do you have any resources for individuals leading a gluten free, dairy free, egg free lifestyle? Or any favourite recipes? Any help would be awesome!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama says
My husband has all sorts of allergies and had a doctor suggest that he try going without some of these things to help, but he said he’s not to the point yet where he’s ready to give up cheese and pasta. I guess if things start bothering him enough, he will. Thanks for joining us at #FridayFrivolity this week and good luck with the change!
Hannah Spannah says
Goodness me, this must be a real challenge but I can imagine that you’ll try anything to feel better. I’m transitioning to becoming a vegetarian and I’m not really having any problems but I’m nervous about becoming vegan due to my love of icing on cakes, ice cream, you name it but I think I might have to. Good luck with this and I really hope that it helps you feel better. Thanks for linking to #theweekendblogshare
Nicole Salama says
Thanks very much for reading and commenting Hannah! Good luck going vegan. I’d love to stop eating meat but I think if I became fully vegan and gluten free I’d only be able to eat fruit, veggies and beans
Karen Grosz says
Thanks for sharing on Let’s Get Real Friday party. You can do this. I thought I would never be able to have a restrictive diet. I am no longer completely gluten or dairy free, however I rarely eat them. I just found that meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds are more tasty and keep me full much longer. There are so many resources out there if you just google. One of my first tasks was to switch my breakfast out. Eggs are prevalent with breakfast. I found Carrie Brown’s Hot and Nutty Cereal and still love eating it on many days. http://marmaladeandmileposts.com/archives/21240
Nicole Salama says
Hi Karen – thanks for the breakfast suggestion I’ll have to take a look. You’re right when you google or search on pinterest it makes it much easier to find good recipes
Elle @ Only Taste Matters says
I have to say going paleo which includes all your restrictions has actually made a huge difference. Once I got over the initial panic, I am actually totally surprised that I don’t want the bad foods anymore. Pain is a really strong motivator. I really never believed I wouldn’t want sugar anymore but it looks like it is true.
I’m had quite my share of health issues and I think your approach to your health is the same as mine. Don’t give up your medical doctors but the diet change definitely helps your body manage the treatments and heal better. I am wishing you the best of luck!
Nicole Salama says
Thank you so much Elle! I have found a reduction in my joint pain so far which is great. We’ll see how the rest of it goes. Hope you are feeling well
GiGi Eats says
I am 100% gluten, dairy, sugar, fruit, wheat, soy & nut free! And you know what? There are still LOADS of foods I can still eat!! 🙂
Nicole Salama says
Hi GiGi – thanks for your comment I’m learning a lot about different options and it’s been ok so far.
Nicky Kentisbeer says
You poor thing, I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Changing eating habits is hard as I guess we are so used to having those things in our lives that we rely on them as part of our day. I hope you are able to make some very tasty discoveries in your quest for alternatives. #KCACOLS
Nicole Salama says
Hi Nicky thanks so much I’ve already found some yummy recipes. It’s all about trying new things. It is very time consuming though!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
Wow, you are going through a lot and I love your attitude. That seems to be where you win the ‘coping’ battle. I have a lot of gluten free recipes on my site but a better site for all your allergies would be http://strengthandsunshine.com/ Rebecca has awesome recipes for allergies. Find her on No. 52-55 in this linky. You could check out my post it is No. 5 in this linky. It is about inflammation which researchers are finding is at the root of a lot of our ailments.
All the best Nicole and we will be looking to see your progress.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Nicole Salama says
Hi Kathleen – thank you for your kindness. I’m going to check out Strength and Sunshine and take a look through your recipes. All the best to you as well!
Bread says
Good luck with this. A couple of my friends are gluten free but I don’t think I could manage it myself. I like gluten lol. #kcacols
My friend has a website that has recipes for gluten intolerant people, and made gluten and dairy free ice cream recently!
http://victoryisinthekitchen.co.uk/
Nicole Salama says
Thanks for your comment and for passing along your friend’s website. I’ll have to check it out!
Susanne says
Because of food allergies, I am gluten free, egg free, casein free and soy free and also follow a low fodmap diet. I have microscopic colitis due to these allergies.
There is a website called The Potty People for those of us who have this condition. I know that is not your problem but almost all of us have food allergies/sensitivities and there is a wealth of information available on being gluten free, casein free, egg free and soy free on this website. I hope this is helpful to you.
Nicole Salama says
Hi Susanne – thank you for your comment and suggestions. I’ll have to check out the website you mention. Hope you are able to keep your condition under control.
Celeste says
We have been gluten free, soy free, and oat free over 4 years now. It was overwhelming at first but it has gotten so much easier! I have heard EnerG egg replacer is a great option, and we LOVE Califia Farms almond milk (toasted coconut and original are my favs). Best of luck!
Nicole Salama says
Hi Celeste thank you for the suggestions! I’ll have to look for Califia Farms almond milk next time I’m at the grocery store.
Someone's Mum (Danielle) says
I had to have a really restrictive diet while I was pregnant due to GD and some other factors. It was tough! I really hope the diet helps relieve some of your symptoms and helps you feel a bit better. Sending love. #KCACOLS
Nicole Salama says
Hi Danielle – thanks for your kind words!
Raia says
I hope your journey goes well! I’ve been gf, df, and ef for about 5 years and its made such a difference in my health. Thank goodness there are so many helpful allergy a friendly blogs out there to help. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Allergy Free Thursdays and sharing with us. Hope to see you back this week!
Nicole Salama says
Thanks Raia! Love your blog and the Allergy Free Thursday link up. I’ve already found a number of ideas there.
Tracey Bowden says
That is a lot to change in your diet all at once isn’t it! I can only imagine how hard it would be to have to cut these out of my diet. I look forward forward to seeing how you get on and fingers crossed the changes you make will have positive results for you #kcacols
Nicole Salama says
Thanks very much Tracey. I’m hoping it will help and will definitely do an update with some of the resources I’ve been finding etc
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
I gave up dairy, sugar and gluten and it got rid of 90% of my morning pain from Rheumatoid arthritis and got rid of my premenstrual cramps and ability for my joints to predict the weather. It was amazing. I did start reintroducinG them one at a time but I can tell the difference when I cheat. I’m sorry you’re dealing with cancer and leaky gut, hope the diet helps you. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinned to our linkup board. I have a gluten free and paleo board in Pinterest that I kept all my diet restricted recipes on.
Nicole Salama says
Thanks for your comment Tanya. Glad the diet change helped you. I’ve had a bit less pain in my joints which is great and just working on the rest.
Cathy Lawdanski says
That’s a tough one. But we do have so many resources these days to find recipes, so hopefully it won’t be too overwhelming for you. And if you start to feel a lot better, then it will be worth it. Good luck from #overthemoon!
Nicole Salama says
Thanks so much Cathy – yes thanks to Pinterest, Yummly etc there are so many resources which make finding recipes so much easier.
Marina @ Parental Journey says
That’s not easy 🙁 I only need to be dairy free and I find it so difficult.. Luckily, there are so many gluten free products these days, I am sure you will do good! Good luck with everything!
Nicole Salama says
Hi Marina – thanks for your comment. There are lots of great gluten free options out there and I’m working on finding all of them 🙂 Good luck to you too!
Candace says
I have only tried and been really successful at the gluten free diet. I couldn’t imagine going dairy free considering my love of ice cream, but I did have Ben & Jerry’s dairy free ice cream and it’s not too shabby. I wish you the best of luck. Once you embrace this diet, I bet you’ll feel a lot better. I felt a ton better once I cut gluten out of my diet.
Nicole Salama says
Hi Candace – thanks very much for your comment. I’m already feeling a bit better so we’ll see how it goes.