Restrictive Diets

[kirra]

How do you convince yourself to try a restrictive diet?

A specialist told me I should try a low histamine diet. The list of foods she gave me is insanely long, includes all my favorite foods, and I don't know if I have it in me to cut everything out.

I told myself I would try the meds first, and if they helped I'd try the diet. And the meds help. They're miracle drugs. So this is a problem, and trying the diet makes sense, but damn I don't want to.

One of the only social activities I can do is go out to eat with friends, and that would be out. Even going to get coffee would be out, because caffeine and chocolate are both on the list.

[polarbearfans]

It helps to focus on what you can eat. Is this a forever diet or slowly reintroducing foods to see what is the problem? I am all for whatever I can do without medications, but am not opposed to medication when it is the best course of action.

Good luck.

[keyslover]

I agree- focus on what you can enjoy. Coffee shops have herbal teas. Find new resturants that offer cleaner food and options.
It is challenging at first, but it becomes second nature pretty quickly. Also, I when you start to feel good, it becomes so worth the time and energy.

Me? I am opposite of you. I prefer to change my diet rather than take medications. If diet and lifestyle changes do not help, then I look to medications. Most of the time, I find diet helps my issues.

Good luck. When you are ready to make the changes, you will and you will do great.

[wowhead]

Having a very restrictive diet can be isolating. Everything social somehow revolves around food. Not being able to eat out and then having to explain why has caused me a lot of stress and anxiety and has kicked my depression in full force (which I'm finally digging my way out of.) So my opinion is take the meds and eat all of the food unless it is causing permanent damage to your body.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 2:34:53 GMT -5 polarbearfans said:

It helps to focus on what you can eat. Is this a forever diet or slowly reintroducing foods to see what is the problem? I am all for whatever I can do without medications, but am not opposed to medication when it is the best course of action.

Good luck.

It's cutting everything out for 4-6 weeks then reintroducing one at a time.

Literally all my favorite foods are on that list. My favorite fruits and vegetables, bread, peanuts... I could go on, but it's extensive.

I would have to be on the meds in addition to the diet, because even if I cut every triggering food out I'll still be around other triggering things.

[polarbearfans]

That isn't too long to be restricted! I try to figure out food/drinks before going out. Like if I have plans with friends, I've already researched what my options are. Maybe I eat before depending on the setup; or bring my own food. Just try to stay positive. It will be worth it and will get easier with time.

[kirra]

www.histaminintoleranz.ch/download/SIGHI-FoodCompatibilityList_HIT%28EN%29.pdf

Here's the link, but it's a pdf.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 16:49:35 GMT -5 polarbearfans said:

That isn't too long to be restricted! I try to figure out food/drinks before going out. Like if I have plans with friends, I've already researched what my options are. Maybe I eat before depending on the setup; or bring my own food. Just try to stay positive. It will be worth it and will get easier with time.

I just posted the list. It took a while to find it.

I don't think there are any options at restaurants.

It cuts out most fish, peanuts, whole eggs, and dairy, so I would lose all my typical protein sources. I have trouble getting enough as is.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 7:53:50 GMT -5 keyslover said:

I agree- focus on what you can enjoy. Coffee shops have herbal teas. Find new resturants that offer cleaner food and options.
It is challenging at first, but it becomes second nature pretty quickly. Also, I when you start to feel good, it becomes so worth the time and energy.

Me? I am opposite of you. I prefer to change my diet rather than take medications. If diet and lifestyle changes do not help, then I look to medications. Most of the time, I find diet helps my issues.

Good luck. When you are ready to make the changes, you will and you will do great.

[br

I can't have herbal teas either.

The thing is, I'm going to have to take the meds anyway. The diet is just on top of that.

I don't think there are any restaurant options. The restaurants that offer cleaner food tend to use more fruits and vegetables, which means I run into at least as many problems there.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 14:35:19 GMT -5 wowhead said:

Having a very restrictive diet can be isolating. Everything social somehow revolves around food. Not being able to eat out and then having to explain why has caused me a lot of stress and anxiety and has kicked my depression in full force (which I'm finally digging my way out of.) So my opinion is take the meds and eat all of the food unless it is causing permanent damage to your body.

The social isolation is what worries me the most.

And I'd have to take the meds anyway.

Unlike celiac, the foods aren't causing damage. They're just (potentially) setting off my mast cells, which means hives, flushing, some GI issues, and a sore throat.

Even more frustrating is the list of foods that trigger people is individual, so even if you try the diet it may not be the right list for you.

[kirra]

I'm sorry I'm being combative

I know I should try it, but I've lost everything else I love already, and this won't give me any of that back. It might make a minuscule difference in some annoying symptoms, but not in any of the ones that changed my life.

[polarbearfans]

You will not be socially isolated. Even if you are just drinking a glass of water, you can still go out with your friends. I've had many times when there was not a single thing I could eat or want to eat: I would eat ahead of time and still meet up. I don't make a big deal about it. I don't go into details about my diet other than I cannot eat x.

Focus on the positive. You are on a journey to better health.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 21:32:44 GMT -5 polarbearfans said:

You will not be socially isolated. Even if you are just drinking a glass of water, you can still go out with your friends. I've had many times when there was not a single thing I could eat or want to eat: I would eat ahead of time and still meet up. I don't make a big deal about it. I don't go into details about my diet other than I cannot eat x.

Focus on the positive. You are on a journey to better health.

I'm already socially isolated because I can't do most of the things my friends do.

And lol to getting just a glass of water. If I drank even half a glass of water without eating something with salt and potassium my heart rate would go out of control.

I finally found a diet and fluid intake that stabilized my heart rate (it took a year) and this would be starting over. I'd have to get rid of my homemade electrolyte drinks, because they have lemon juice for potassium (citrus is out), which means I'd have to find a substitute (either Powerade or Nuun, neither of which I want to drink massive amounts of every day) and I'd lose all my typical foods, so I'd change my electrolyte intake. I'd have to find substitute high sodium foods, which is difficult. And that puts me back to the beginning with stabilizing my heart rate.

I feel like I can fix my heart rate, or I can hopefully get rid of the hives, but I can't do both.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 20:52:11 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

No advice except that I deal with it. But I do know what you mean about having to add additional list of restrictions to your lifestyle. It sucks.

It just feels like there's nothing left.

Somehow I'd have to combine this diet with a high sodium diet, and I don't know how to do that.

And a registered dietician is out. They don't agree with adding 5000 of salt a day even if it is a rx.

[wowhead]

That list even eliminates pepper. The cost:benefit ratio just seems to high to me. I couldn't motivate myself to that much restriction for a possible minute improvement.

For me, trying to go out with friends to a restaurant and just drinking a glass of water would have me in tears. Maybe it's because I've only been restricted for 6ish months but I just couldn't do it.

[polarbearfans]

It looks like you have a lot of food options... I finally pulled up the list. The water was just an example. You can just sit at the table and talk with your friends. You don't have to have food or drink. If dinner is the only activity you can do, then go to dinner.

It sounds like your medically team is not working together. There needs to be more communication. This diet makes no sense if it makes your health worse. What are you eating now? I am so confused the more you post.

[kirra]

Mar 7, 2015 23:46:05 GMT -5 polarbearfans said:

It looks like you have a lot of food options... I finally pulled up the list. The water was just an example. You can just sit at the table and talk with your friends. You don't have to have food or drink. If dinner is the only activity you can do, then go to dinner.

It sounds like your medically team is not working together. There needs to be more communication. This diet makes no sense if it makes your health worse. What are you eating now? I am so confused the more you post.

For POTS it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you get a ton of salt and fluids to try to increase your blood volume. So right now I have a fluid and salt balance that works.

For MCAS you just eliminate foods.

I finally found an electrolyte balance that works for the POTS. I'm sure I can find that balance on the elimination diet. It will just take at least six months. So I'd be making the POTS temporarily worse until I could fix it again.

I'm confused too. This makes my head hurt.

[keyslover]

Mar 7, 2015 17:00:06 GMT -5 kirra said:

Mar 7, 2015 7:53:50 GMT -5 keyslover said:

I agree- focus on what you can enjoy. Coffee shops have herbal teas. Find new resturants that offer cleaner food and options.
It is challenging at first, but it becomes second nature pretty quickly. Also, I when you start to feel good, it becomes so worth the time and energy.

Me? I am opposite of you. I prefer to change my diet rather than take medications. If diet and lifestyle changes do not help, then I look to medications. Most of the time, I find diet helps my issues.

Good luck. When you are ready to make the changes, you will and you will do great.

[br

I can't have herbal teas either.

The thing is, I'm going to have to take the meds anyway. The diet is just on top of that.

I don't think there are any restaurant options. The restaurants that offer cleaner food tend to use more fruits and vegetables, which means I run into at least as many problems there.

Sorry, food is a tough issue.  I understand the social aspect of it is huge, it was a big game changer when we did an elimination of gluten and dairy for DD2.  We saved a lot of money not eating out

I have friends that have wacky dietary issues and we find new things to do.  Go for a walk or check out a class.  

Good luck.  

[dianeblack]

Healthy home-made food, fruit and vegetables, not eating after it is 6 p.m. - it is the best diet!

[wowhead]

May 17, 2015 4:43:22 GMT -5 dianeblack said:

Healthy home-made food, fruit and vegetables, not eating after it is 6 p.m. - it is the best diet!

Aaawwww ::pats head::  Aren't you cute.  Most of us here would love it if it were that easy. 

[thegrassskirt]

I was diagnosed with Lupus many years ago and was put on a very restrictive diet. I was in college, and that was pretty much the last thing that I wanted to do, but I was in so much pain that I followed orders. Within just a few months, I was feeling so much better that I never looked back. Well...almost never. LOL.  It can definitely be challenging to have a restrictive diet, but over time, you learn how to manage.

If I ever fall off the wagon, I feel it almost instantly- as in the next day. For example, in my case, I swell like crazy if I eat something like a bagel- and man, do I love bagels. It just reminds me that nothing is worth sacrificing my health.

I absolutely believe in medicine, and I am so thankful to have access to great medications. However, there really is something to be said about the power of food. Good luck!

[kirra]

Update: about 75% of my diet is now compliant.

I don't think I'll try to increase that percentage. I don't have the energy to come up with a 100% diet that also has enough sodium, and getting to 75% compliant has made no difference whatsoever.

Interestingly, when I actually got into planning meals, about 90% of the foods I eat regularly are compliant.

I'll never be off the meds anyway. I react to too many environmental triggers.

[kirra]

May 17, 2015 4:43:22 GMT -5 dianeblack said:

Healthy home-made food, fruit and vegetables, not eating after it is 6 p.m. - it is the best diet!

Lol a ton of the foods I'm supposed to avoid are fruits and vegetables. But nice try.

[zoidberg]

I have celiac and another condition that requires a very low sodium and low protein diet. It is terrible. I hate it. It has robbed me of a lot of joy. But at the same time, I felt this way when I was first diagnosed with celiac and eventually i got used to it (been gf for 10 years, other restrictions are new). I have faith that I will eventually get used to this, too.

I make myself do it because I want to stay as healthy as I can and not continue to deteriorate and fall apart at 45.

You just have to get into the mindset that those things are not food to you anymore. No point in even looking in those aisles in the grocery store because that stuff does not exist to you. No point in wishing you could have them because they are NOT FOOD. The stuff you can eat is food and you can learn to make the best of it.