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Isn't that the best picture ever up above? Can't believe I actually posted that on the internet. Some people spend hours getting ready for a selfie, I spend hours snowshoeing and then take one. What-evs.
So I inadvertently performed an experiment on myself over the last 2-3 months. For those of you who have not followed me for a while, I found out in June of 2014 that I was Celiac and then went on the Autoimmune Paleo diet (aka AIP, a strict elimination diet designed to help you heal and figure out what you might have reactions to) for the following 6 months and have been pretty much strict Paleo after that. I would cheat with a gluten-free baked good every now and then, or some tortilla chips or popcorn, but other than on vacation (in which I just am gluten-free, not Paleo), I have been very good about what I eat. And for good reason – I know that Paleo just makes me feel my absolute best.
However, over the last 3 months I've kind of pushed the envelope on the whole diet thing. I've been busy, stressed, and frankly, a bit down (some things at my day job haven't gone as I had hoped). Food has always been my go-to comfort so since old habits die hard, I found myself eating a lot MORE gluten-free baked goods, tortilla chips, and popcorn. I basically ate a gluten-free diet, not Paleo. As long as it was gluten-free it was fair game. And since after I'd eat I didn't necessarily feel bad, and my energy levels seemed to stay up, I wasn't very concerned. Things seemed to go ok.
But the cracks are starting to surface now. I've now been sick with something, a virus, cold, or sinus infection every 2 weeks for the last 6 weeks. My menstrual cycle is getting shorter (less time in between periods- who the hell wants THAT?) and much heavier. I've gained weight. I've been bloated. I'm irritable. I bonk (blood sugar lows). Many of these things were the reason I did AIP/Paleo in the first place. I'm sure if I don't change my ways I'll start having energy issues as well and who knows what else.
So since I am listening to my body, I am going to change and go back to strict Paleo. I'm going to start with a Whole30 (starting today – join me on Instagram to see what I am eating each day and here to see a weekly summary) and then if that doesn't do the trick, go back on AIP for a bit. But I know I need to clean things up and fast.
My main lessons learned from this?
(1) Eating a gluten-free diet doesn't mean it is healthy. Junk is junk whether it is gluten-free or not.
(2) Sometimes gluten-free isn't enough. I know many people who have tried removing gluten from their diet (and nothing else) and after a few weeks they throw their hands up in the air and say it isn't working, never to try anything like it again. I just proved to myself that eating just gluten-free isn't enough for me, so I bet it's the same for many others.
(3) Watch that lifestyle component. A gluten-free diet seems to work just fine for me when I'm on vacation – when I'm not stressed and have plenty of down time. But I've ignored a lot of my own advice over the last 3 months and let stress get the best of me yet again. Stress + Bad Food = Disaster. Stress + Good Food = Feeling ok. Less Stress + Good Food = Feeling Fantastic.
(4) It's good to test your boundaries sometimes. Instead of just wondering “is avoiding this food really helping me?”, test it! I mean, if you are deathly allergic to something don't do this. But if you hear the constant mass media outlets saying “It's not good to give up an entire food group like grains” and you find yourself truly doubting a diet like Paleo, see what happens if you introduce grains for a while (after taking them out for at least 3 months). You might be totally fine. You might also find out you really truly don't do well with grains. Diet is such an individual thing, what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. Don't sit here and read what I or anyone else tells you, it's best to figure out what works for YOU. And testing and rechecking some more will really define what works. But if you do this, make sure you really listen to your body. It will tell you if it isn't happy. It might take a while, like it did in my case these last few months, but eventually it will show up.
Being on a restricted diet is hard stuff. It's human nature to want to push the boundaries and see what works. Sure, I wish I could eat whatever the heck I want, but I can't. At least not on a regular basis. But I'd rather KNOW that I can't rather than just wonder. So I guess I know now. Anyway, here's to all of us feeling fantastic in 2016!!
Oh my word! You are describing me! Except I let it go for about 10 (eek!) months! It’s nice to have gluten free options. But our treats became regulars and it wreaked havoc on my body! I’m on day six of whole 30 and I feel like a new person!! Thankfully I’m already gluten free (which is probably why I already feel so good, unlike the whole detox process three years ago). I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. But I think it came at the perfect time as I recently was able to let go of some things that were taking my time and attention away from my family. So less stress in my environment and less stress in my body. Hallelujah! 😉
I’m so glad that you are already feeling better! Don’t kick yourself for waiting so long. I know it’s a totally normal reaction, but just be happy that you are doing it now! Just think, if you hadn’t waited this long you might not have realized just how badly you felt and wouldn’t have the same kind of motivation to get better again. I think it all happens for a reason!
Oh my gosh, you are almost a replica of me Michele but I only went to Gluten Free for Dcember…. Boy am I paying for it!
Back on AIP from Jan 2nd and my body is well and truly me I have punished it! I didn’t feel this bad th first time I started (ironically also June 2014…!)
Perhaps the 18 months is a trial period, like a marriage…. Lol
Anyways, just thought I’d share a sympathetic message with you and encourage you to keep going. God knows we need it
X
Ha, maybe 18 months IS a trial period. Then you end it, head your separate ways and realize you were completely in love and want to get back together. At least that’s how I feel! Me and Paleo forevah! haha. Best of luck with you getting back to feeling better!!
I had a very similar experience. A few stressful months coupled with slipping off Paleo and into gluten-free territory got me to a point where I have had to go on AIP to fix the damage because even returning to Struct Paleo was not enough. Granted I did have a minor accidental gluten ing but in the past I was able to recover much faster, whereas this time consuming grains (albeit gluten-free) and dairy and all kept the inflammatory and autoimmune response going, I guess, and more or less undid several months of healing 🙁
I am not dealing with intolerancesthat had never popped up before. I’ve certainly learned my lesson!
It’s so hard, isn’t it? I hope this round of AIP can help get you back to feeling great and reduce the inflammation. Yes, you undid several months of healing (just as I probably just did too) but you probably learned a ton (as I did) and that should help you far far into the future – both mentally and physically.
Michele,
I have Hashimoto’s as well and have noticed the same things as you lately. When first diagnosed I gave up gluten and dairy but found dairy (ok chocolate) hard to fully give up so I gave up and just stuck with mostly gluten free. It’s been a stressful several months, feeling bloated, headaches, weight not coming off easily, dry skin, brittle hair….well you see what I’m saying. I haven’t tried Paleo persay but I’m thinking it might be a good idea! Following your journey on Instagram as well now! Thanks for sharing! It helps to know I’m not alone!
Oh yeah, you totally sound like me with your symptoms. Have faith! I have been able to put my Hashi’s into remission and so can you. You’ll just need to figure out what foods work for you and don’t. I really am a big fan of Paleo (hence this blog) because it has helped me so much, so of course I recommend it. But whatever way you choose, best of luck!! And you are for sure not alone!
This is such an important post! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thanks Renee! I hope it can help some people for sure!
I really enjoyed reading this, Michele. We’ve found the same to be true for Arthur. Around the holidays things get crazy & he gets way more gluten free treats than necessary. He accidentally got slipped a slice of regular wheat bread last week so we’re watching the effects of that now.
As for myself, I find I’m the same way. I’ve been eating the same GF snacks & treats as him & guess what – I feel like absolute shit. The worst. Sigh. I don’t have any AI issues but my body is telling me it knows what’s right for me.
Yeah, it’s pretty amazing how our bodies tell us what is right or wrong. Also pretty amazing how easily we ignore them! Glad you enjoyed my post!