This past Fall, I attempted healthier eating for the first time by experimenting with a low sugar, low carbohydrate diet. Over the summer, I was living and breathing sugar and it was getting severely out of control. I had to do something about it. So I tried a 10 day sugar detox and started eating mostly low carb. For a while, it was awesome! I lost extra pounds quickly, without even exercising, and I got my sugar cravings under control. But then the weirdest thing happened. I got sick. Terribly sick. Practically overnight, my ordinarily reliable gut rebelled and I found myself battling gastrointestinal issues daily. I was eating lots of new foods, but nothing I changed seemed to make a difference. After weeks of tummy upset, undergoing all sorts of GI testing and even a colonoscopy, there were no answers. Everything appeared normal. Ultimately, I gave up on my new, "healthier" diet and my gut slowly returned to normal. How could eating healthier make me so sick? It was baffling! My GI doctor's only recommendation was that I try the Whole30 diet plan, to pin down any food sensitivities. So my husband borrowed the book from a coworker, and I began a plan.
If you have never heard of Whole30, here's the short version of what it is. Basically, for 30 days, you eliminate all the major food groups that commonly affect health in negative ways. This is supposed to "reset" your gut, so that you can pinpoint any food groups that bother you and your own unique GI system. After the 30 days of clean eating, you slowly reintroduce the food groups one at a time and pay attention to how each makes you feel. In this way, you can customize your diet to eliminate food sensitivities. If you want to read more, there's tons of information online, or you can check out the book from your local library.
After reading about what the Whole30 program entails, I decided to start after the holidays. It is not going to be easy, and I didn't want to start during the most difficult time of the year for resisting treats. But, if I can stick with it in January, I will hopefully have some answers. For accountability purposes, I'm taking you with me on this journey. Every week, for the next four weeks, I'm going to document our experience (my hubby has agreed to attempt the plan with me, in solidarity, and to better his own health). If you are curious, follow along with us! I've created a special Pinterest board HERE, and will be pinning lots of Whole30 compliant recipes if you are looking for ideas. I will also be sharing what we are eating on Instagram HERE.
What are your New Years Resolutions? Have you ever tried an elimination diet or the Whole30 program? Send us a message or comment on our Facebook page!
Here's what I made for breakfast New Year's Day! It is the spinach fritatta from the recipe section in the Whole 30 book. I've never made one before. It was delicious topped with avocado.
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