Ever since having kids, I have made it a point to focus on my health. I want to be around for them, and that means that I have to take care of myself. This year especially I have had to take a hard look at my health, I started spinning at Soul Cycle and began to get my heart and head right. Keep in mind I am not a huge fan of working out so finding something that works for me is huge. Spinning is something I actually enjoy.
From there I started working on my skin, since that it is our biggest living organ, I thought I should focus on it and give it some love. Being that I have worn makeup and A LOT of it since I was 15 years old (I wore it even earlier but not as heavy and as frequently). My skin has always been an issue for me and honestly, I think that has a lot to do with my gut health.
My stomach has always been an issue for me, growing up I always had horrible stomach aches. Nothing I ate ever settled with me and I was always sick. Years ago I finally went to a doctor and found out that my body struggled with many different foods, I instantly cut all problem foods out of my diet and noticed instantly a huge change. Then I got pregnant and my body started calling for foods that were on my do not eat list, it’s like the baby needed it. Because I was breastfeeding and then got pregnant with Hutton right after, and then continued breastfeeding until Hutt was 16 months, I continued to eat things like dairy, eggs, and pretty much whatever I wanted. When Hutt was about 2 years old, I noticed that my body was not happy with me and I needed to make a change. So I found a Doctor that focused on gut health and I went into see her. Just like I suspected my gut needed help. I have a long journey ahead of me, and a lot of huge changes to make but I am doing it.
So here is the down and dirty of it. I have to do a major elimination diet.
NO BEEF, NO CHICKEN, NO CLAM, NO CRAB, NO GLUTEN, NO WHEAT, NO BARLEY, NO RYE, NO CORN, NO MALT, NO SORGHUM, NO TEFF, NO CABBAGE, NO MUSHROOM, NO GREEN PEA, NO SOYBEAN, NO CHEESE, NO DAIRY, NO CASEIN, NO EGGS, NO GOAT’S MILK, NO SHEEP’S MILK, NO WHEY, NO YOGURT, NO YEAST (BAKER’S OR BREWER’S), NO BANANA, NO MANGO, NO PINEAPPLE, NO CANTALOUPE, NO ALMOND, NO MACADAMIA NUT, NO GINGER, NO LICORICE, NO MUSTARD, NO VANILLA
SO yeah, I can’t eat A LOT! When I fist got this list I am not going to lie, I was in shock. I have had to eliminate foods before but never this much and now with kids, I didn’t know if I could do it. But come June 19th I put my head down and dove in. I eliminated EVERYTHING and my journey began. I am not going to lie, the first two weeks were rough. I had absolutely NO ENERGY and every afternoon, I had the worst headache, bordering on a migraine. I felt like I had lost all brain power, I barely could complete my sentences. I am so grateful that Michael knows me so well, that most of the time he completed my thought when I clearly wasn’t making any sense. Luckily we have been together so long that most of the time I don’t even have to say anything and we are already on the same page, so that at least was nice. I struggled. I was a bit depressed and beaten down. But come week 3, I started to find options, I found foods I could eat and funny enough I found healthier options that I liked even better than my old staples. I found the most delicious foods and now I am sharing them with my family. Even though this began as a journey for myself, it has become a journey for my family, I am now preparing clean and healthy meals for them and the best part is they are eating it and loving it all the same.
The most important thing I have learned through this process is to not see what you CAN’T have but what you can substitute. For instance, I love my 5pm coffee every day, Michael, the kids and I, load up and go to our favorite coffee shop EVERYDAY. I love my maple latte, but now I can’t have milk, or soy milk, or almond milk, or oat milk, and I don’t like Hemp milk, so I went and bought Coconut Milk and brought my own container for them to keep there so I can enjoy my maple latte with my man, (mine is just with coconut milk) but our routine stays in tact. I have found my way to make life as normal as possible, with just a few changes. I have never had to be so vigilant about ingredients, that part is hard and honestly it is embarrassing to have to make such a big deal about it while eating out, but luckily everyone has been so kind and incredibly gracious! I always tend to apologize up front for being a pain in the butt and I find that they tend to be a little more understanding and willing to help, I find that makes all the difference.
I will be sharing my journey, so stay tuned and I might just share some of my favorite recipes too. The good news, is this is possible and the better news is it is helping me create a healthier lifestyle for not just me but for my whole family.
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Beverley, thank you for sharing this! I have had lifelong stomach issues (and skin issues!) and I’ve done some diets here and there have helped but recently I have been reading Plant Paradox and I’m tying to eliminate basically everything that you’ve listed above. I definitely need some meal ideas and recipes! Are you reading any books or following any blogs where you are getting ideas and recipes from?
That’s an impressive list! Some of the items are “healthy” like ginger, banana. Why can’t you have those? I have eliminated only dairy so far. This has inspired me to look deeper into my diet.
Apparently my body doesn’t jive with ginger which makes me sad because I LOVE ginger. I did a blood test and these were the foods that did not do well for my body! And I have to be honest, ever since I cut EVERYTHING out I feel much better!
I’d love to try and see with a blood test what they come up with me but I already know that I will cry my eyes out when I see the long list. I tried in the past and they were called food intolerance until I found out for myself I shouldn’t eat many things at all. When I saw your list all I could think of tell me what you CAN eat it’s easier. Kudos to you for taking care of yourself (we should all do it!)
Loved reading this post especially. Since I have a daughter w/autism who needs to be on a strict diet plan, I need all the help I can get! I believe the only thing you can have my daughter can’t is sugar. She’s gluten free, dairy free, soy free, artificial color free & sugar free. She’s only been this way for almost 3 years, so she knows she likes her old habits better. If you don’t mind, please share your newest recipes you now feed your family! I’d love some help! I also loved watching you as Lucy & now on Hollywood darlings!
I will definitely start sharing my recipes which are pretty simple and very clean. I find the simpler the better and everyone seems to be enjoying it. I have also found great options for my favorite foods, like tortilla chips, that are grain free, gluten free, and soy free too!
Beverly, thanks for sharing. If it’s possible can you share the food that you are eating. I have been struggling with really bad stomach issues. I’ve always had a delicate stomach since I was a kid, but these past years have been bad especially these past months. I was hardly able to eat anything cause every made me feel sick. Finally went to the doctor , they did an endoscopy and a colonoscopy and there’s nothing there, but the doc said I have ibs. So he gave me a list of foods to eliminate and IT’S EVERYTHING!!!! I’ve eliminated a few things , but I’m still eating a lot from the do not eat list. I lost 15lb in just 2weeks (for me that’s bad cause I’m already thin) so if you can share what you have been eating that will be great!
I did a blood test that basically told me what my body did not like. I will definitely start sharing some of my recipes, which are honestly really simple and clean! Stay tuned!
If you haven’t done a blood test, you can try the Low FODMAP elimination diet that has been developed for IBS. This includes a long list of foods you can eat as well as what you can’t so it’s a little less overwhelming to start with.
Oh wow, gut health has become such a passionate topic for me in my own health journey this last year. I was so sick of being tired and always having stomach upset as well as anxiety all the time. As a mom I had had enough of not being able to be there for my family like I needed to be. I was so grateful for a friend who led me to Plexus and the all natural gut happy products they have that totally changed my life for the better. So much energy, no anxiety, no more tummy trouble, stable moods and no more hormone swings we all get once a month. It has been such a blessing!! Let me know if you want more infor