Perpetual Healthy Eating and Fitness Rant & Rave thread

[Magic Microbe]

And I just realized that if I tried to give up dairy I would no longer be able to have lattes. I don't know if I can give up my weekly coffee shop latte. 

[teetime]

RA, that always sucks.   

I'm doing a weight loss challenge with a variety of people, and the prize is $500.  Have I mentioned that?    for me!  It's from Jan to June, so my guess is that whomever can be consistent for that long will win, easy. 

I'm doing so much reading right now, and based on some of my food allergy type issues, I'm looking, very hard, at a Paleo type program.  I don't think I could ever be 100%, but it sure makes sense for me based on what I read.  Giving up gluten was so good for my gut, and it seems like the lingering stuff is probably dairy related (sadly).  I gave up dairy for a week or so a while ago, to see, but it was before I was GF.  I should just suck it up and try again.  My friend was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, and she and I had so many similar issues.  I'm seeing the same naturopath/RN as she is, and we are treating my thyroid.  But my friend was telling me that from what she knows, Hashimotos kind of comes on as a result of untreated food allergies (it may be more than this, I'm not sure), and they are treating it for her with a gluten free and dairy free diet.  She wonders if maybe I've just caught all of this before it turned into that for me (she's probably 5+ years older than me).  So anyhoo...  that's kind of what I'm looking at right now.  Not happily, but I'm considering it.

Interesting Courtney.

Years (like 15) ago I developed really weird not fun mouth/throat sores. While less severe than in the past, they are still with me. No doctor ever diagnosed a cause. Despite no symptoms (no fatigue, weight gain, etc.) I was diagnosed with progressive hypothyroidism that I finally had to treat (TSH kept rising and my fertility doctor said it was time). Recently my mother (an MD) was reading about Celiac and called me. She is not one to recommend any restrictive dietary changes (esp. for me) but given my infertility and recognized thyroid issues, she insisted I attempt GF. So, I am.  So far, in the past two weeks, not one mouth sore?! I'll get tested for the antibodies during my next doctor's appt. (did not have them 15 years ago but only tested once).  Don't know if I would keep this up after a successful pregnancy (if lucky enough to have one) but it does seem that those with autoimmune issues can easily have more than one issue.

BTW, any gluten free resources you'd like to share would be most welcome.  We are doing a no sugar no flour post new years thing right now so it should be easy but I keep getting tricked.  Who knew soy sauce was a gluten bomb.

[onawhim]

I know it is faddy but I am another person who does feel better when they limit gluten.  I am allergic to almonds as well so most paleo baking recipes do not work for me.  I try and avoid other tree nuts now just in case.  I tested positive for the lupus antibody and a couple of other autoimmune things so it can't hurt to try to avoid foods that do not agree with me.  I am not giving up dairy but I mostly eat it cultured (kefir and yogurt) which seems ok for me. 

[Run Amok]

MM did the dr have any feedback on your tummy issues?

Another one who can eat gluten with no issues here. Dairy too. I do tend to feel better if I limit the fatty/rich foods though!

[merigayle]

MM- you can always use rice milk or almond milk or hemp milk or coconut milk.

Teetiime- that is interesting. Have you had your full workup for autoimmune stuff with the RE? Have they ever tried low dose steroids through the transfer and beyond? Not just the medrol pack.

[Courtney]

Interesting Courtney.

Years (like 15) ago I developed really weird not fun mouth/throat sores. While less severe than in the past, they are still with me. No doctor ever diagnosed a cause. Despite no symptoms (no fatigue, weight gain, etc.) I was diagnosed with progressive hypothyroidism that I finally had to treat (TSH kept rising and my fertility doctor said it was time). Recently my mother (an MD) was reading about Celiac and called me. She is not one to recommend any restrictive dietary changes (esp. for me) but given my infertility and recognized thyroid issues, she insisted I attempt GF. So, I am.  So far, in the past two weeks, not one mouth sore?! I'll get tested for the antibodies during my next doctor's appt. (did not have them 15 years ago but only tested once).  Don't know if I would keep this up after a successful pregnancy (if lucky enough to have one) but it does seem that those with autoimmune issues can easily have more than one issue.

BTW, any gluten free resources you'd like to share would be most welcome.  We are doing a no sugar no flour post new years thing right now so it should be easy but I keep getting tricked.  Who knew soy sauce was a gluten bomb.

Gluten intolerance/celiac can manifest in all sorts of ways, and I could believe that it's what might be causing your mouth sores...  Be aware, that if you are being tested for the antibody for Celiac that you need to be eating gluten at the time, or the test isn't really valid (that's my understanding).  My RN asked if I wanted to do that test, and I opted out because I didn't want to start eating gluten again (it makes me feel that bad).  I figured whether or not I actually have Celiac is irrelevant, I can't tolerate gluten anyway.  I actually don't think I have celiac, because the potential for cross contamination at resturants, and even at home, is very possible and I don't get sick.  So I suspect mine is just an intolerance.  Anyhoo... 

Here's what I've learned about gluten in foods.  It's in EVERYTHING.  Soy sauce, right?  Ugh.  WHich is an ingredient in lots of stuff, too.  Also, look for Modified Food Starch on labels.  It may be corn or potato starch, but it is likely wheat starch.  If it specifically says corn starch or potato starch, you should be ok. 

http://www.yumuniverse.com/

http://detoxinista.com/

http://www.againstallgrain.com/

Three blogs I just discovered.  I've also been looking at the book Everyday Paleo.  I haven't pulled the trigger yet!  But it looks pretty good.  Normal type foods.  As neat as it is to really eat different things, it's not just me I have to consider.  It's not really fair to make my spouse, who doesn't have any food allergy issues, eat stuff he doesn't like.  I know, I can make him cook his own stuff, but as a meat & taters girl from KS myself, it's really ok by me.    There are other blogs, but I have them saved at home.  I'll try to remember to share them when I get home.   

MM, if you are into making your own latte, you could do almond milk.  Or rice or coconut milk.  I don't know if coffee shops use those...  I've never asked at Starbucks, but that's pretty much the only place I go right now. 

There are a number of reasons I'm considering Paleo/dairy free of some sort.
-I did allergy testing with an allergist a little over a year ago and he showed a mild allergy to milk lectin (or whatever it's called)
-I did food allergy testing (Cyrex) with my RN/naturopath and she showed an intolerance to whey
-The friend of mine diagnosed with hashimotos, and the thought that if I do have an allergy, if I can fix it now, I may not have to deal with some of the stuff later
-Anecdotally, people with gluten issues often have dairy issues

The reason(s) I don't want to is because I love cheese.  And fro-yo.    Oh, and chocolate. 

[merigayle]

I buy vegan chocolate btw


here is a good article i just read, posted it in MM's thread too, mentions hashimotos as well.

[Magic Microbe]

I don't drink coffee at home and no none fo the coffee shops around have anything but soy milk. Plus cheese and frozen yogurt. I really, really, really don't want to give up dairy.

[merigayle]

I know yo udon't but maybe if you try it and see how you feel? if you feel awesomely better, it may be worth looking into giving up. And you can bring your own milk for them to froth. You know I have an answer for everything but i used to work in a coffee shop and we did have soy, but people would bring in rice or almond milk.

[teetime]

Teetiime- that is interesting. Have you had your full workup for autoimmune stuff with the RE? Have they ever tried low dose steroids through the transfer and beyond? Not just the medrol pack.

No. But most REs in the area don't focus much, if at all, on autoimmune explanations (so I would have to switch doctors likely).  I have only done a million clomid cycles and 2 IUIs so far.  Moving on to IVF now as I either don't respond to a really low dose of meds or way over respond after a slight increase.  No idea what they give, beyond progesterone, after transfer.  The only nice thing about not ovulating is that I don't have pre cycle meds so will know more once we get the okay to start stims.

[teetime]

Gluten intolerance/celiac can manifest in all sorts of ways, and I could believe that it's what might be causing your mouth sores...  Be aware, that if you are being tested for the antibody for Celiac that you need to be eating gluten at the time, or the test isn't really valid (that's my understanding).  My RN asked if I wanted to do that test, and I opted out because I didn't want to start eating gluten again (it makes me feel that bad).  I figured whether or not I actually have Celiac is irrelevant, I can't tolerate gluten anyway.  I actually don't think I have celiac, because the potential for cross contamination at resturants, and even at home, is very possible and I don't get sick.  So I suspect mine is just an intolerance.  Anyhoo... 

SNIP

Thank you!!

[Run Amok]

I would rather not give up dairy because I can't do soy and we can't do nuts so I would really lack options. And cheese is about my favorite food ever.

I am with you on cheese being a favorite. I will say that I think cutting out most cheese was really good for my weight loss last year. I need to get back to that. It's easy to sneak a little in here and there, and the reality is that I was *fine* without it!

A lot of latte places here have a couple of different options for lattes now, not just soy.

Could you try it for a week or two and just see if it helps?

[merigayle]

No. But most REs in the area don't focus much, if at all, on autoimmune explanations (so I would have to switch doctors likely).  I have only done a million clomid cycles and 2 IUIs so far.  Moving on to IVF now as I either don't respond to a really low dose of meds or way over respond after a slight increase.  No idea what they give, beyond progesterone, after transfer.  The only nice thing about not ovulating is that I don't have pre cycle meds so will know more once we get the okay to start stims.

ah, i thought you had done IVF already. Keep me posted and if you have any questions let me know.

[cgraz]

I also love cheese - I would have a very hard time giving up dairy. I say this, as I just finished a slice of cheese pizza, my go-to food.

[cgraz]

In other news, this is a busy workweek and it was rapidly declining into a bad eating week - potential for lunch out every day, etc.

So tonight after acupuncture, on the way home I made a concerted effort to stop at the small grocery store that I pass by, so I could pick up some stuff to pack lunch for the rest of the week, and to make another good but easy dinner later in the week (roast chicken, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes).

I thought that was a decent intervention to help get the week on track and was feeling good about making good choices...and I planned to get home and eat a small dinner of a half-portion of pork chop (WW recipe made with dijon mustard, very tasty) and some carrots and broccoli that we have leftover from last night.

But mr. cgraz had bought pizza. Which was sweet, but more than I wanted to eat. But I couldn't resist it. At least I only had 1 slice of plain cheese (fairly thin crust, not too filling, but so good) and 1 small slice of salad pizza (just thin crust with no sauce or cheese, topped with mixed greens lightly dressed - OMG so good).

So tomorrow, the crackdown on the rest of the week shall commence.

I also bought pistachios, which I have really been craving. But to help avoid a pistachio-palooza where the points will be racked up, I portioned them out into snack-sized baggies in 2-point servings. Ta-da! I'm very pleased with myself for that - otherwise I could have torn through the whole bag in no time.

[Ice Cream]

MM- how was your appointment?

I'm not giving up dairy. I eat less of it these days as a weight control measure.

Most of the dairy alternatives seem to have very little in the way of nutrition. The coconut milk stuff, in particular, is all calories (carbs and fat) and is generally pretty highly processed.

I like nuts... but I eat them like 6 at a time.

So... I'm just really not a fan of the whole dairy alternative thing. When I was vegan, I just ate other stuff...

Why are you trying to lose weight?  You bought a size 2 skirt at Target?

[debbatx]

Good job on stopping for healthy stuff, cgraz, AND on not eating a whole pizza (which is what I would have done)!

[cgraz]

If I hadn't eaten lunch at Chipotle, I probably would have had at least another slice...but that lunch left me feeling full (and huge) for most of the afternoon into evening! I think feeling so gross was what made me want to turn things around.

[triciaflower]

I would rather not give up dairy because I can't do soy and we can't do nuts so I would really lack options. And cheese is about my favorite food ever.

What about Hemp milk?

[Ergonomic Mouse]

Hemp milk?  I had no idea there was such a thing.

I managed my 30 minutes running, and then did 2 sets squats, shoulder press's, and kettle bell swings with 40lbs. ( kettle bell was with 20) 
I am always glad when I exercise so I have a hard time understanding why it is so difficult to motivate


Still eating simply... Feeling better digestively as a result. I am continuing my new affair with kefir!!