Healing Diet

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Great List!!

I'm confused though....what's the issue with wheatgrass? The gluten is in the seed not the grass.
 
A balance is so important to avoid illness

Diseases Caused by pH Imbalance
An acidic, anaerobic body environment caused by pH imbalance encourages breeding of fungus, mold, bacteria, and viruses. So you are susceptible to diseases caused by microorganisms. In addition, cancer thrives in an acidic and oxygen-deficient environment.

As we age, the cells of the body become thicker with the the acidic waste products. This causes vital nutrients and oxygen brought into the cells to decline and the toxins and metabolic waste products to build up. Apart from causing premature aging, they can cause high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation to the legs and feet), stroke, fatigue, excess weight and poor digestion
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As I read obsessively the other day about pH balance, I came to a realization that indeed, balance is everything. Seizures can occur if the body becomes too acidic; seizures can occur if the body becomes too alkaline. And we're not talking big amounts here; we're talking about tenths. If you read the links over on the thread about pH, you'll see that the body is involved 24/7 with the grandest balancing act that will either keep us healthy, or when it fails it operate correctly, make us sick.

I find it interesting that if you look at a list of acidic/alkaline foods(the way they act in our body AFTER ingestion, not the pH before you eat them), that the GARD is based on a pH balance of foods. I believe that is why it works so well. Grains, meats, all cow dairy including cheeses are all highly acidic in nature. I believe that's part of the problem, as well as the gluten/dairy/soy/corn/aspartate challenge involved, in achieving balance and good health.

Off my soapbox now.
 
I agree with you on this one. Th Ph balance is essential for stability with seizures. It's amazing to me that if I eat certain things before bed, I won't feel "right" the next morning. The GARD has been the most stable thusfar--for me--yet, I also work at 80% raw vegan. YET, even the most clean diet can give you issues in the morning. You must watch the Ph level.
 
What about Food for Life Gluten/Wheat Free Bread?

OK---So I don't eat Eziekal bread or any other for that matter. Yet, I did find this GF/WF Raisin Pecan bread. Anyone try it? Is it something that can be used say 1 slice per day????
 
LuvMyTwins said:
OK---So I don't eat Eziekal bread or any other for that matter. Yet, I did find this GF/WF Raisin Pecan bread. Anyone try it? Is it something that can be used say 1 slice per day????
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Not familiar with this product. Sorry.
 
Any dairy in it LMT?
I believe, though I have not pursued it yet, that rotation of foods is also very important. That what once was not causing a sensitivity, could if you are eating it often. So if there is a way to rotate foods then that would be the best. I think I posted in the GARD group, or in the recipe box, links to a couple online sources for flours. One even had a sample pack that was reasonable. Not sure if you are into making bread.

I use Pamela's Mix even though it has dairy in it. It makes great muffins, and waffles, which I do about once a month. Bread has always been tricky for us. So far Rebecca has not been highly sensitive.
 
I just was directed toward another Healing Diet:

http://www.gaps.me/preview/?page_id=28

I am afraid that you need to go to the site and read what they recommend. This is for someone with acute intestinal distress. However, it is suggesting that after 1.5 - 2 yrs there is the possibility that you will be healed. That would be worth it, in my opinion.

I am going to have my son look at this, as he has intestinal issues, and if left untended to, will cause him a bit of problems, discomfort, and embarrassment.

At the first glance the GAPS diet appears to be very hard work. However, it is a very wholesome and healthy diet and will allow your patient to heal and seal the gut lining and lay a strong foundation for good health for the rest of his or her life. It means that majority of GAPS people do not have to adhere to a special diet for the rest of their lives: once the digestive system starts functioning normally, they can gradually introduce most wholesome foods commonly eaten around the world. Some people achieve this target in 2 years, some take longer – it depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the person: children generally recover quicker than adults.
Once introduced, the GAPS diet is no more difficult than any normal cooking and feeding the family. And shopping is very simple: just buy everything fresh and unprocessed. Reading the GAPS book will provide you with essential information and many recipes.
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YOU *** WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE TYPICAL MODERN DIET FULL OF SUGAR, ARTIFICIAL AND PROCESSED INGREDIENTS AND OTHER HARMFUL FOODS. USE THE YEARS OF FOLLOWING GAPS NUTRITIONAL PROTOCOL FOR DEVELOPING HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE !
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Doesn't this go against the GARD?!? I'm so confused!

The bread I will look at today, but I don't think that there's dairy in it.---LMT
 
LuvMyTwins said:
Doesn't this go against the GARD?!? I'm so confused!

The bread I will look at today, but I don't think that there's dairy in it.---LMT
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LMT,
Help me out please. I looked at the link Robin provided, and with the exception of the nuts/seeds recommendations, it looked much like the GARD. What did you notice that I didn't?
 
Nuts and seeds---yes. What about the meats? There is a lot of gluten in meats and the turn over requires a start with chicken broth. Am I not reading it correctly? Let me know as I'm a little squemish with meat being a vegan.---LMT

ALTHOUGH--If I thought that forms of meat would help, I'd be willing to try (like eggs).
 
LuvMyTwins said:
Nuts and seeds---yes. What about the meats? There is a lot of gluten in meats and the turn over requires a start with chicken broth. Am I not reading it correctly? Let me know as I'm a little squemish with meat being a vegan.---LMT

ALTHOUGH--If I thought that forms of meat would help, I'd be willing to try (like eggs).
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All meats are very high in glutamate, with red beef being the worst. My understanding is that chicken and cold water fish are lower in glutamate as are eggs. I have to be very careful the amount of red beef I eat; more than 4oz and it's Seizure City. I would think that if you made your own homemade chicken stock to make that chicken broth from, it would be fine. I myself make my own chicken stock from free range chicken with no antibiotics/hormones as a base for soups in the winter. I'll share the recipe if you want.

Another thing that is not allowed on this GAPS diet is potato; the GARD allows potato, both white and sweet.

This GAPS diet is very similar to a diet that was espoused by Elaine Gottschal. Her diet is the SCD, "Specific Carbohydrate Diet," and was formulated mainly for celiacs and more recently, autism. Let me look for the link to the food lists that I used while I was getting used to the GARD and a lack of detailed "what foods to eat/ignore."

Found it! It is http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/ It is worth taking a look at and follows the GARD closely.
 
Luckily, meats are not an issue for me---I don't eat any. Yet, I do wonder about adding eggs. I just had a 1/2 of sweet potato tonight (first time in 6 months) and feel alright. Yet, I certainly understand how it can be a problem as I feel like I ate pure sugar.
Would love the recipe for the chicken stock as anything natural and organic I'm willing to try.
If you're interested, the green smoothie has really helped me during this whole process and includes a ton of greens with fruit (good combos). I'd be happy to send a few recipes along.
Thanks for the link--I'm going to look at it now.
 
LuvMyTwins said:
Luckily, meats are not an issue for me---I don't eat any. Yet, I do wonder about adding eggs. I just had a 1/2 of sweet potato tonight (first time in 6 months) and feel alright. Yet, I certainly understand how it can be a problem as I feel like I ate pure sugar.
Would love the recipe for the chicken stock as anything natural and organic I'm willing to try.
If you're interested, the green smoothie has really helped me during this whole process and includes a ton of greens with fruit (good combos). I'd be happy to send a few recipes along.
Thanks for the link--I'm going to look at it now.
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I read somewhere(sorry, no link; simply a factoid in my memory banks)that if you can only afford to do one organic food, that food needs to be eggs. Something about how it's assimilated by the body and how it takes in absolutely everything in its environment. I don't eat a lot of eggs, but the ones I do eat are certified organic from free range chickens getting no antibiotics or hormones. A dozen costs about 3 times the price of "regular" eggs, but I feel they're well worth it. My hubby has a problem with "regular" eggs while he's out on the road(he's an over-the-road truck driver), but he has no problems with the organic ones I fix at home. The old saying of getting what you pay for.

I will post the chicken stock recipe over in the Recipes section here. I use a brand called "Smart Chicken." Again, the thighs and legs I use for the stock costs 3-4 times the price of "regular" chicken. I don't buy it for what's in it; I buy it for what isn't. Also, I've found that the "Pilgrim Pride" brand, while not as particular as "Smart Chicken" brand, is free of antibiotics and hormones and much less costly. Sometimes that matters to me, especially as payday draws near and money is shorter.

I would be interested in your recipes; why don't you put them in the Recipe section so everybody can find them?

By the way, eggs that are free range are not necessarily organic, and I've found some organic eggs that are not free range. Aren't we glad we can read? LOL
 
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I would never have posted this diet in the GARD thread, unless I had carefully studied it and compared the two. The title of this thread is Healing Diet, and there are many folks here that have intestinal diseases. This last diet is targeted toward those folks. I do believe it is good to know that there are adjustments that one can make to suit the individual.

I think taking out the refined carbs and sweet fruits, is a very good thing to do for a while, as it helps to eliminate yeast overgrowth. Tree nuts are extremely good for brain health. That is why the walnut and the pecan are shaped like a brain. Almond I think is shaped like a gland?
 
RobinN said:
I would never have posted this diet in the GARD thread, unless I had carefully studied it and compared the two. The title of this thread is Healing Diet, and there are many folks here that have intestinal diseases. This last diet is targeted toward those folks. I do believe it is good to know that there are adjustments that one can make to suit the individual.

I think taking out the refined carbs and sweet fruits, is a very good thing to do for a while, as it helps to eliminate yeast overgrowth. Tree nuts are extremely good for brain health. That is why the walnut and the pecan are shaped like a brain. Almond I think is shaped like a gland?
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Robin,
I think that we need to remember several things here. First, there is the great similarity in all these diets. I think this points to the fact that food that is good for the body is good for the body regardless of how you name the diet it is attached to.

Each of us is different. We each have our food triggers; you've noted in the past that soy doesn't seem big for Rebecca, yet my body's response is immediate and extreme. Finding those food triggers and respecting them is key IMHO.

We can each become obsessed about following a specific diet plan. I know that I've been guilty in that respect. We need to think more about the qualities of the foods and what we're trying to accomplish than about adherence to whatever diet we're trying to follow.

My 2cents. Off my soapbox.
 
I do agree and think looking at diets is an important part of healing. Further, at some point, we have to admit that there is a very strong gut-brain connection and we need to look at the food as well as the drugs. IMHO isn't food the perfect drug for healing???
 
LuvMyTwins said:
I do agree and think looking at diets is an important part of healing. Further, at some point, we have to admit that there is a very strong gut-brain connection and we need to look at the food as well as the drugs. IMHO isn't food the perfect drug for healing???
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Food is the perfect drug for healing.

I think the biggest problem these days is people feel too rushed to cook. The supermarket abounds with fresh foods that are good for you. But if you feel like you don't have the time to prep and cook, then you look for the seemingly easier way out through canned and processed foods that work for you until poor health due to poor eating habits overtakes you. May not be this year or next year, but it does catch up to you.

Puts me in mind of when I was growing up. I cooked nothing while I lived at home; if I had to so much as make myself a sandwich, I would go hungry.ROFLOL I married a grad student(by then I had completed college)and we had next to nothing for a grocery budget. I quickly learned to cook, and as our budget grew, so did my menu selections. Now that my health is so locked to what I eat, I seldom eat out; maybe once a month. And then, I'm risking not feeling well. When I say anything to my hubby about trying to scale back on the grocery bill, he emphatically says no. He knows first hand how much better I'm doing on a non-processed food diet I'm on.
 
As a working parent of 7-year old twins, I definitely understand time constraints and the need to want to just sit. Yet, I can say that I'm lucky to have a health crisis to make me change. I just wish that everyone did not need the crisis to do what was best for them.---LMT
 
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