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Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and am desperate for some relief that doesn't include medications. This Diet looks promising, although it is all quite overwhelming and a lot to take in at first.

In an email from the doctor, he said that I should start off following the McDougall Diet, excluding any wheat or soy products. While reading the McDougall Diet, I did note that the daily planner includes tofu and soy items. It also listed things like fat-free mayonnaise.

I'm confused. I don't know where to start of what meals should look like for me. Can someone help me get started?

Thank you,

Stacey

I got rid of joint pains partly through adopting a subset of the McDougall diet. (See second link under my signature.)

Dr. McDougall apparently is recommending that you follow the McDougall diet, but omit all soy and wheat. That makes a lot of sense to me. Wheat and soy, for some people, cause inflammation (-itis).

What is the McDougall diet? The principles that define it, in my view, are these:
1. Eat whole foods -- not refined or otherwise processed foods. An example of a whole food is a baked potato. A refined food example would be a box of mashed potato flakes, with the skin removed and a lot of preservatives added.

2. Eat foods that are very low fat. Never add fat. This is usually obvious: Avoid nuts generally and avoid avocados generally, unless you are too thin. Most other fruits, vegetables and coarse starches are low or very low fat.

3. Eat mostly coarse starches. Eat vegetables. Eat some fruit.

4. Eat a variety of foods in each category, maybe (in my opinion) half a dozen different kinds of starch, vegs, and fruit during the course of a week.

Here is a sample meal, the first three elements of which I am heating now in a big skillet:
- Boiled potatoes (red, gold, brown): 3-4 cups.
- Frozen, chopped broccoli. (I also added frozen peas and frozen artichoke hearts, quartered, just for variety). 1-2 cups.
- A small bowl of thick pumpkin soup (canned pumpkin, garlic, onions): 1 cup.
- Sliced bananas, plus frozen blackberries, thawed. 1 cup.
- Water.
- Whatever flavorings are appealing. For me, at this meal: vinegar, but you could use salt, pepper, and so forth.

Notice the meal contains no soy and no wheat. About 10 minutes of labor at this meal (because most things were already cooked in big batches.) Very simple.

Hi,

Thank you so much for your response. I'm already feeling overwhelmed by it all... your response helped a lot. I hope you don't mind if I ask a few more questions along the way.

When you referred to the "list" - were you talking about the lists of starches, vegetables and fruits from the McDougall Diet. Most of the fruits and vegetables I'm most fond of and eat most often, weren't listed. I wondered why that was - can I still eat all of the fruits and vegetables that I love so much!?

Also, I read that all fruits and vegetables should be eaten cooked? Is this a practice I should follow? I eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables and make a lot of green smoothies - can I still do this?

I drink Almond milk - can I still do this?

I also read no oils or butter of any kind - what do you normally use when cooking. Have you found that you don't need oils or butters?

Lastly, do you snack between your three meals? Can I snack on fruits or vegetables? You said stay away from nuts - which is something I'll miss. Oh, and avocados - my favorite

My husband is taking me grocery shopping - should I focus on starting off with about 6 starches, 6 vegetables and 6 fruits to get started.

I have so many questions so I'll stop there for now!

Thanks again... I can't tell you how much I appreciate you getting back to me.

In my comment above, where did I say "list"? I can't find the word. Maybe I am going blind.

Which diet? Here are the four McDougall Program diets that I know about:
- Regular, which is what I suspect Dr. McDougall meant in his message to you.
- Maximum Weight Loss.
- Mary's Mini.
- Elimination Diet, rarely used, and then only as a diagnostic tool to discover foods that might trigger allergies, and so forth. This is very difficult and unpleasant. Do not try it until after trying the regular diet, minus wheat and soy, as Dr. McDougall apparently suggested to you.

Do they meet the requirements for the McDougall regular diet?

No, that is only for the Elimination Diet.

No, smoothies are not part of the McDougall Program regular diet, so far as I know.

Not a whole food. I wouldn't consume it.

I use only water and heat.

Your meal scheduling is completely your choice. Some snack all day. Others eat only two meals and no snacks. Some eat six meals. Your choice.

Or five or 22 or whatever you want to do. I would also suggest getting a variety of forms: some fresh, some frozen, some canned or bottled.

I can tell you what I do since I just started this 3 weeks ago myself. I keep it as simple as possible. I picked just a few recipes that looked good to me and got those ingredients. I make a big enough batch that normally lasts for the week. I try not to buy anything in a box or bag or anything that has more than 2 or three ingredients. Whatever I cook, I just add water, no oils. Honestly it tastes so much better. I only drink water or occasionally have some herbal tea. You'll be surprised at how much lower your grocery bill will be.