I'm a mother of twins, RDA accredited Cloth Diaper Circle Leader, and an RN discussing parenting tips, green living, and products I love!
Well, it looks like our dairy free journey has graduated to a dairy and gluten free journey. The kids are continuing to have GI issues (although DD’s canker sores have nearly stopped). We have an appointment in September with a pediatric gastroenterologist for the twins as well as an appointment for myself.
Can I just say that these elimination diets are overwhelming to say the least?!? I love having a possible answer to our chronic health issues but having to check every label for dairy and gluten containing products is exhausting. I’m sure I’ll get used to it it no time, but I’m overwhelmed each time we make another change. I have to dig though our cupboard and read all our labels. I get bummed every time because I find several snacks and foods that the kids ate regularly (and were favorite foods!) that they can no longer eat. I have been truly shocked at how the kids have not complained about not having grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese!
DS had one melt down over pizza. We had ordered a pizza, half without cheese and half with cheese. DS wanted a piece of pizza with cheese and we were lucky we got him to eat dinner at all that night. This melt down truly surprised me because it had been 3 weeks without dairy before this fit. I told the kids that dairy is hurting their belly and that they shouldn’t eat cheese and milk. We went so far as to encourage them, when asked if they want cheese, to say “no thank you!”
It’s a big adjustment, but I have to say, we have been eating even better. This is why it was even more disturbing to me that my gut symptoms increased. So, on to the gluten free diet for all of us. If it will help our symptoms then it will be well worth the effort. If you have any words of wisdom for our family in this transition, or you have any great recipes, I would love to hear about them! I’ll be digging around in the blogosphere for more information. Wish us luck!
Have you looked up the Paleo/Primal diet? Basically its eating whatever cavemen would have eaten, ie whole foods and nothing processed. I’ve read that people feel amazing with this diet.
Deanna,
I have heard of the Paleo diet and it sounds awesome. I give SO MUCH credit to those who live by it. I do like to cook things and my hubs would probably stab himself in the eye if I cooked only raw foods for him. I have a feeling we are going to be very happy gluten free! I already have a TON more energy. It’s crazy….
I totally feel you on the being exhausted looking for dairy products on ingredient labels- I’ve been willingly going dairy-free(weekdays mostly for now) after a dr. suggested it to get rid of non-GI issues. I have extra energy and always regret when I give into a cheesy pizza!
It’s been tough to go 100%. I keep finding products I wouldn’t have thought contain Gluten… I’m on the search for gluten free soysauce….
Good luck with dairy free!