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I have been McDougalling for 3 months. At first, I was using beans as my starch, but they were very constipating to me. I gave my body a couple months to adjust , but it did not.

A month ago or so, I added sweet potatoes, brown rice, and some wheat bread and wheat bran . All Bob Mills or Ezikiel bread. I eat a lot of sweet potatos which are supposed to be good for acne.

Prior to McDougalling, I was 100% Raw (uncooked veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds). That included olive oil. My 35 year battle with acne came to and end on that WOE and my skin was perfectly clear for the first time in my life. It was not oily at all. The problems for me with that WOE was losing too much weight and needing to eat all day long to feel any satisfaction.

Since adding the starch and grains, but my skin has erupted and is extremely oily. These are very large cysts like I had when I was a teen. I follow the program very carefully. I have read Dr. McDougalls articles on acne, but I have done what it says to do. I prefer this WOE because I can eat a meal and not worry about food again for 3 - 4 hours.

Has anyone had this experience? I don't think I'm detoxing because I was RAW for so long. (over a year)

I cannot switch back to beans because of the constipation.

I'd appreciate any experience you have to share.

Thank you.

Sandy P.

Have you been tested for food allergies/sensitivities? Maybe you're sensitive to something you've added. The major allergens are eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat. You probably didn't eat much wheat when you ate raw, no? Maybe you're sensitive to it or something else you're eating. Maybe a probiotic would help. They say diet doesn't really cause acne. But I think diet is a factor in most everything to at least a small extent. If you're constipated, you're probably not eliminating toxins and waste efficiently. Why wouldn't that have an effect on skin and such? Hormones play a big part in acne. So does stress. Those may be bigger factors in your acne problem than diet.
I would tend to doubt the sweet potato or brown rice contribute much to your acne flare. The wheat seems a more likely culprit, if diet is actually the problem. I don't know if it's true, but this site claims the iodine in wheat germ can cause acne flares.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/34715 ... rsen-acne/

Hope you find your answer.

Thanks so much for your response.

Those are certainly great things to consider as I work through this.

Your suggestions are valuable and very much appreciated.

I ate no wheat at all when I was "raw".

I wanted to give an update as my acne is under control again an looking great.

I have tried a couple of things...not sure what is helping, but now that it is under control I will start the process of elimination to see what is helping.

I have been drinking ginger tea every day..at least a couple of cups and that is an anti-inflamatory.

I have limited my starches to oatmeal, sweet potatos and brown rice.

I cut out my morning fruit for a bit. It was typically grapefruit.

I quite chewing sugar free gum.

Anyway....something is working. I was also contemplating salt. Just before that major flare up I was traveling and eating out. I was having a hard time with soups with sodium. I am again on the road, and had Vegetarian Vegetable at Jason's Deli tonight. If I have a flare up, I'll keep an eye on that.

Thanks for the support and great ideas I get here.

Sandy

Sandy, I am so glad you seem to have figured out how to treat this. Keep us posted!