Discussion Board

One main difference between the plans is that Eat to Live is a diet based on vegetables first, and Mc Plan is based on starches. I lost weight on both plans, but generally feel better on Eat to Live. Plus I've been able to get rid of all pills and drop my blood pressure into the normal range. Basically, I eat no junk, no processed food. That's been the difference for me--with exception of a tad bit of brown rice syrup--okay for my allergies.


But I do eat more starch than some others--especially since I don't eat as much beans. Got to get your energy and calories from somewhere, or be eating way too much fruit. That was my problem to begin with on F. Plan. On Mc. Pl, I simply ate too many fake meats (before learning of soy allergies and gluten allergies) and I ate too much processed grain and sweeteners.

I think both plans work for people if they stay away from the processed foods. I'm a hybrid. I like both plans. I like being able to eat more nuts and fruit, and I like being able to eat more starch. I can afford to do so, because a majority of my food choices are from lower calorie green vegetables.

That just reinforces the belief that we should stick with whole foods ... but who am I to turn down an otherwise great/compliant meal that my husband cooks!

Google it and you'll discover that many brands are this way. You must go out of your way to find ones that are not. The places where I shop have none on that list. I used to have a link to the list, but don't have it anymore, sorry.

Hi,

Two quesitons:

I have heard mixed info about vanilla having gluten in it and other sources saying it's perfectly fine. I buy the vanilla from Costco, Anyone know if this is gluten-free?

Also, I bought organic quinoa flakes. They say gluten free on them, but it is the unofficial marking and there is no indication that they are produced in a gluten-free facility (there is no info whatsoever about the facility on the package). They are Ancient harvest. Anyone know if they are truly gluten free?

Edit: just thought to check their website...the flakes are officially gluten free. Yeah! I just discovered them and they are a welcome addition to my very-limited diet.

I'm still suffering from some effects of gluten contamination from 3 weeks ago, so I can't be sure, but I'm feeling like both of these products may be causing me to react. I've eliminated them for the time being.

Thanks
lfwfv

I introduced gluten this week to see if it is an allergy or an intolerance--since I've had difficulty determining which allergy does what to me. Well, there's no question. GI troubles to the extreme. It's an intolerance....call it celiac, although I'm technically borderline. I'll not be messing with gluten ever, if I can help it.

In 2 weeks I have an appointment to see an allergist. Hopefully, I can discover what's been giving me swollen glands and leg rash. I suspected citrus and got rid of all tropical and citrus fruits, strawberries, and tomatoes out of my diet. But I'm still having problems. It may be spice ingredients in the Mrs. Dash blends.

So many allergies to watch out for. Does anyone else have a ton of allergies? So far I know I'm allergic to dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, and mushrooms.

Yes, I know I have an intolerance to gluten. I also am allergic and react to soy, corn, dairy, and I am sensitive to beans, rice, and all grains, tomatoes, and nuts/seeds. I am hoping some of these allergies miht go away after my intestines have healed more.

lfwfv

Wow, that's a load of allergies. What about almonds? What about wild rice?

What kind of reaction do you have to corn? I'm interested what a corn allergy does that's different from an intollerance. What can you eat? Your list is probably smaller than mine.

HEy Jellen regarding the rash on your legs try eliminating any(if you use them) sugar substitutes.

I myself am very allergic to splenda/sucralose and it is in lots of packaged foods now.


and how it manifests intself in me is as a rash on my legs.

It was in a vitamin I was taking, a chewable and I didn't even realize it was there.
Eliminated the vitamin and the rash went away.

Another possibility might be gluten in lotion (if you use that on your legs).

I feel for you, lfwfv. Its hard enough being no-added oils vegan and gf and soy-free. I haven't eliminated corn 100% (but probably should). One of my immediate family members should also avoid tomato. But losing beans, rice and other grains would be hard. I'm almost afraid to say that because that will probably be the next thing to go for us.

Hi everyone,

Corn shows up as a rash on me (after a few days of popcorn). I eat sweet potatoes, quinoa, fruits, and veggies. But even those things are still leading me to have problems these days...severe bloat, constant diarrhea. I am thinking this may be the cause of an intestine that has not healed after ingesting gluten 3.5 weeks ago.

I have never done the official elimination diet, I just tested foods informally against the foods that always made me feel good (root veggies, fruit, veggies). Corn always caused rashes. Soy as well. Rice seems to also cause bloat and rashes. Nuts give me acne and rashes after several days of eating them.

I am frustrated with the hit-and-miss process though and I am really considering starting the cook-everything McDougall ED tomorrow in order to see if I can really get everything back on track and make up a formal list of allergenic foods.

lfwfv

I had good intentions of following the elimination diet, but couldn't get past the everything cooked part. Too many months eating raw diet, and I have a mindset against a whole diet of all cooked. But I see the reason for it. It's to cook the proteins and denature them--since it's the proteins that are the allergens, I believe. I may end up having to follow it as dr. outlines it.

Popcorn? I had some of that this week. Hmm...

Lotions? I thought I checked them all out. They seem fine. Vitamines--I take only dr. Furhman's and his don't have gluten.
Fake sugars? I don't take any--but there may be some sorbitol in some things I eat on occasion. I'll check that out.

Thanks everyone for keeping this thread alive. I appreciate the support and having a place to come to for info relative to my/our needs.

Speaking of quinoa, I've only had it once and didn't care for it. I'd like to reintroduce it. Anyone got some great recipe ideas for impressing me with the taste sensation of quinoa for any meal?

I had to acquire a taste for quinoa. The red quinoa has a slightly different taste/texture to the white as well. My favorite way to eat it camouflages the flavor anyway - I like to cook it with chopped apples, raisins and cinnamon for breakfast.

I may have to acquire a taste for it too. Which one is better? Red or white? I've not purchased it because it's high in protein--of which I'm trying to keep lower. But I may take another look at it, rather than eating half cup beans daily.

I prefer white quinoa. I put 1/2 cup quinoa in a pot with 1 cup hot water, cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover (don't stir of course) and simmer for 15 min.

I eat mine plain, with nutritional yeast (which i may be permanently giving up...), and with cinnamon and banana (i throw these into the pot along with the quinoa).

I make all sorts of quinoa/bean dishes for my husband.

One more thing Jellen...I noticed you mentioned you always eat some nuts or seeds? For me, I believe these cause inflammation. I avoid them. You might want to check that out if you're still struggling with symptoms?

Take care
lfwfv