| I've mentioned many times about my issues with food allergies over the years. I really hate how I'm sensitive to so many things which me my face go all red (as if I've run a marathon...if I could run!), my eyes get puffy and tired, achy joints, gut ache, I go all sniffly and generally fatigue and tired after eating...and most importantly training. |
Me at Waikato looking all
red and puffy from my food reactions |
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I know the foods that are doing it to me but I still eat them just because of sheer convenience. These include soy sauce and anything that contains soy, low fat dressings, dairy, some pre workout and protein powders, food additives and colourings. Having all this stuff in my body makes me inefficient and if I ever had plans to shape up I'm going to have to sort this out so I can actually lose weight.
So now is the time to stop as I've finally had a gutful of looking and feeling all bloated. The crucendo of this decision came at the foodshow about 2 weekends ago when I was sampling various foods and the next day I just felt horrible, and I thought right, time to stop.
Even more timely was that the next day I was going to Hamilton for the Waikato show (31 July) and it was a good time to catch up with me old mate Stacey Hancock (aka Stacey's Nutrition Space) to talk over my food situation to pick her nutrition brain. Plus I needed some accountability. I know I can probably do an overhaul by myself but just nice to know there's someone I can sound things out to and sorry Stacey... you're the one!
So there we were at a cafe in between shows discussing my situation and there are so many things I have to take out of my diet, including:
- replacing chocolate WPI protein powder (found out it contains soy lethicin and change that to Balance unflavoured WPI (not the easiest to mix I might add!)
- cut out pre workout drink
- cut out protein bars (I've only just started eating these since Donelle gave me her Vital Strength to try - bad Donelle! - but the chocolate was oh so yummy)
- have fruit with post workout shake rather than a formula drink.
- chinese/thai takeaways are out
- cut out dressings, sauces. Pretty much anything that has soy or lactose in it.
- chewing gum and even those breath freshner mints are out
- found out wasabi in tube contains lactose and other bad stuff so have to replace with the wasabi powder I can mix up myself. |
I have this for dinner alot.
sashimi salmon or tuna
with veges
mmm delish |
- cut out dairy. But I'm still having occasional flat whites. I know norty Stacey but I'm already giving up alot!
- found that Watties 'Vitality Mix' was giving me a gutache and wondered why. So read the label and there it was "soy beans". Thought it was broadbeans in the pic so pays to read the label!
- speaking of labels, Stacey's recommended I stay away from these additives starting with 95 (eg 950, 951) or starting with 6 (631, 621...) anything nitrate. Most things with a 2 (211, 220), and certain colours.
Taking out all the above really doesn't leave me much and what I'm eating is pretty close to a contest diet! The main difference in my diet has alot more food preparation and having more natural food to snack on. So now its more boiled eggs, carrots and nuts around rather than going for the chemical option. I generally eat a higher fat/protein diet anyway so I haven't got any carb/sugar craving issue.
A week down and its been so far so good. It has been hard not to add sauces to various meals so at the moment just using good old salt and pepper to spice food up, I know I should do some marinating but don't want to get too carried away with too fancy food ha ha.
Generally I'm feeling less bloated through my mid section, my eyes feel and look a little clearer. I'm still waiting for the more energy part to kick in. Hope that will do so after my ear infection has gone which I've had for the past week. Stacey said the ear infection probably was caused from all my sinuses being blocked up from the reaction of the food allergies.
In addition to doing my food overhaul, Stacey's also suggested I take Vitamin C, Olive Leaf and a few other bits and bobs so that my body can build immunity and start to get back to good health again.
BTW I'm not the only one doing an overhaul.
While at the cafe I suggested to Stacey that we make a pact she does her cardio (Stacey's archilles heel) while I cut out additives and keep a food diary. I get on her case about cardio and she checks in on me for the food side.
So really its a WIN/WIN. I lose weight from cutting the additives out of my diet and she shapes up with cardio.
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Lisa and Stacey |
If anyone else is on an additive free diet, please email me how you're doing and what foods you're creating. I'm not the most creative cook in the world so would love to know what you do to keep things interesting!
Will let you know how I go.
Lisa, Go Figure
8 August 10 |
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