Comments on: My Elimination Diet: Update & surprising “diet” results

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:58:14 +0000

Dinneen, thanks for sharing your experiment with us. I have iron-resistant anemia and it’s been suggested that I might also have a gluten allergy but I absolutely refuse to consider it! I actually interrupted my doctor when he suggested it because I can’t imagine living without wheat…and cereal…I’m not a big pasta freak (though will be having it for dinner momentarily) but for me it’s the bread and cereal. Takes me back to my horrible Atkins memories and I can’t go there again! Glad you’re back on pasta & thanks again for sharing.

By: Julia

Julia — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:32:37 +0000

I really appreciate this. I just wanted to share with you and your other readers that I have been eating gluten-free for just about a year now. As far as motivation/willpower, it was really easy for me because I was absolutely miserable and my symptoms were clearly related to the gluten in my diet, so I can’t offer much wisdom on that front. What I will say is how pleasantly surprised at the disappearance of symptoms I never even considered being associated with my diet. I, of course, lost all the bloating, stomach cramps, and (severe) constipation, but what floored me was that the chronic BV/yeast infections I had had since my very first period miraculously vanished! I also had been having wild mood swings in the year preceding my elimination diet, and you wouldn’t believe how different it is now. I highly recommend anyone who is suffering from undiagnosable symptoms to consider it. If nothing else, you’ll gain peace of mind. Plus, as Dinneen said, you’ll end up eating more fruits and veggies, you’ll get more adventurous in your cooking (to prevent boredom), you’ll eat a more varied diet, and less processed/pre-packaged food (perhaps the greatest benefit!) And once you get over the initial hump, you’ll find it’s not as hard as you think. Good luck!

By: debby

debby — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:02:09 +0000

Hi Dineen, I have done a couple of elimination diets. Not usually as long as yours. One of them eliminated wheat. And the same thing happened to me–lots more veggies, eating stuff I had forgotten about or had never tried. And although I have not eliminated wheat entirely, I realized just recently that it is drastically reduced in my diet. And I feel better ‘intestinallly’ if you know what I mean!

By: DeAnn

DeAnn — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:05:29 +0000

I eliminated wheat for one week and, while I really missed it, I felt great. The only reason I stuck with it for the week was because I purchased all of my meals for the week through Dr. Mark Hyman’s company. The meals were made with fresh, organic ingredients so it was yummy. Anyway, I also have eczema and have noticed that sugar really affects my outbreaks. Whether that really has to do with sugar itself or if the sugar is simply feeding an overgrowth of yeast, I’m not certain. I do know that when I’m faithful in taking my probiotics and my Cod Liver Oil, I have no outbreaks…even if i have some sugar that day. Thanks for your wonderful website!

By: Mindy

Mindy — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:13:27 +0000

By: Dinneen

Dinneen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:56:09 +0000

Thanks for ALL of your comments!!

It is all about discovering what is right for us as individuals (thanks Mars!) and eating what is right for YOU. No two people are alike, and neither should be their diet (way of eating).

Like some of you mentioned, I am aware that cow’s milk sensitivity sometimes causes a skin reaction…but thanks for the reminder (and it help educate the other readers!!). It’s also true that a large majority of the population has a sensitivity to milk…but that’s a post for another time.

When I eliminated wheat, I told myself if it wasn’t that then I would next eliminate cows milk. But I’m going to wait a bit. I actually don’t consume much milk at all. I get most of my calcium in other ways: dark leafy greens, beans, almonds, etc. But I’m going to try dairy later on and let you know how it goes.

Awesome comments and let’s keep the conversation going!

By: Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo)

Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:20:50 +0000

What a cool experiment to have run on yourself. And in a way, I’m happy for you that wheat wasn’t the all-out evil-doer that we thought it might be- given that you do in fact love wheat. Yay for $3 otc creams that work!

Yes, increasing the other healthy foods definitely has a way of crowding out the other “less healthy” foods. As you can probably surmise from my “name”, I drink smoothies – mostly for breakfast and sometimes as a beteween-meal snack- they keep me full for a long time and are satisfying- and they crowd out other ‘stuff” I might eat instead. Just my personal trick that has worked for me (and helped me keep off 90 pounds for many years).

So anyway, glad that your experiment was a success in so many ways!

By: Rebecca @ Durch Dick und Duenn

Rebecca @ Durch Dick und Duenn — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:49:16 +0000

I saw this article tweeted and had to read it since I am thinking of starting a similar experiment.

Instead of exzema I have cystic adult acne, and I hate thinking that I’ll have to continue taking very expensive pills just to keep it under control.

I’m not quite ready to try it out but I am becoming aware of looking for gluten on all items that I am buying. I’ve also heard what Deb said too as being a culprit with acne.

I guess I’ll just have to experiment!

By: Casey

Casey — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:45:40 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story. I found it very interesting and applicable. I also have eczema which is caused by some unknown factor. I eliminated dairy for over a year when nursing my second son, so I know it’s not dairy for me. I always feel like I’m not strong enough to eliminate wheat, so I put it off. I suppose I probably should just do it. Even if it’s not wheat (like for you), at least I’ll know, and it will likely be a good experience overall. Thanks again!

By: Tonya Leigh

Tonya Leigh — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:43:08 +0000

Hey Dineen-

Thanks SO much for sharing your journey. Like you, I am a lifestyle expert on healthy living, but that does not mean that I always know what’s going on in my body. We simply have to learn to listen and put the pieces of the puzzle together. I find myself tweaking things, seeing what works and what doesn’t. The fact that you listened to your body and that is what it is all about.