Last week I told you guys about that allergy test I went in for, to see what food I was allergic to, in hopes that avoiding those foods I’d start to feel better. Mainly, no more stomach aches and get rid of this GD cough… and in all honestly to lose some of this stubborn weight.
Well, this morning was my appointment for the results. While I’m excited to announce that I’m not allergic to these three things…
There is one major thing I need to give up for at least 2 months, but then I can introduce it back into my diet sparingly… Gluten. A lot of you commented that you would cry if you had to give up Gluten, and while I’m not trilled about it, I know I can do it. I have a couple friends with Celiac Disease and my mom went Gluten free for a while, so I know a bunch of GF recipes and products. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE me some carbs, but I know this is doable. Especially since it will help me feel better.
Basically, the test (by a company called ALCAT) broke-up all the foods I was tested for (which is most) into 4 groups: Severe Intolerance (red column), Moderate Intolerance (orange column), Mild Intolerance (yellow column) and Acceptable Foods (green column).
It’s kinda hard to read this size, but it says…
I’m Severally Intolerant of Liver (Beef) – Oh darn. I hate liver and I’m not a fan of pate, so if I never eat this again I’ll be O.K. :) I’m supposed to eliminate this from my diet for 3 months and then I can introduce it back in sparingly. No Problem there!
I’m Moderately Intolerant of Apricot, Bass, Buckwheat, Chamomile, Coffee, Cumin, Duck, Lentil Bean, Lobster and Nectarine. The only one of those I eat on a regular basis is Cumin. I LOVE me some cumin… I LOVE me some Mexican food. I’m supposed to eliminate these from my diet for 2 months and then I can introduce them back in sparingly.
I’m Mildly Intolerant of Apples, Avocado, Baker’s Yeast, Beef, Black Pepper, Brussel Sprouts, Cherries, Chili Pepper, Codfish, Crab, Dill, Fig, Flounder, Green Pepper, Iceberg Lettuce, Kiwi, Lamb, Lima Bean, Nutmeg, Papaya, Parsely, Peach, Peanut, Pear, Sage, Soybean, Sweet Potato, Thyme and Turkey. These food I don’t have to give up entirely, I just need to make an effort to only eat them once a week.
The green column I’ll explain in a bit, but right now lest focus on those blue boxes…. 
The middle box should be treated like the orange column, this means I need to avoid the things listed in that box for 2 months and then I can introduce them back into my diet sparingly. The one I’m going to miss the most now that fall is just around the corner is oatmeal.
The bottom box is treated like the yellow column, so I can have those types of dairy once a week. This one better help me lose weight, haha.
Okay, now the green column. This is the stuff I didn’t show a reaction to, the Acceptable Foods. That’s not saying if I went on a pomegranate eating binge for a couple months it wouldn’t show up in the orange column on a later test though. According to my doctor all foods should be eaten in moderation. Which is where the next page comes in. This is my 4 day meal plan… 
On Day 1, 2, 3, or 4 I can eat any food listed under that day. The foods with an asterisk are foods from the yellow column. The asterisk is there to remind me not to eat it again, if I’ve already eaten it that week.
They also gave me this handy dandy list about the size of my wallet of the food in my yellow column.
I plan on writing in the food I need to avoid for 2 months as well.
I’m going to gradually start my new diet today and then start the whole shebang on Monday. I'll definitely keep you all posted on how it’s going and any good recipes I discover in the process.
Would you consider taking a similar test? Do you have an Gluten Free recipes you can suggest?
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30 ish SoCal girl. Living with her adorable Hubs. Blogging about her - loving, cooking, baking, eating and going to interior design school. Is there something you want to know? Just ask :)
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September 22, 2010
So, I Shouldn’t Eat Beef Liver…
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25 comments:
Holy cow! I need to have this test done ASAP! I have so many digestive/skin/bloating/sickness issues that seem to be food related!
@Layla - I'd say it's at least worth a try :)
This doesn't mean no garlic knots on Oct 2 does it?!
This is fantastic! I've been considering being tested—I have IBS, which is basically a syndrome doctors diagnose you with after they've tested for everything else and after everything else has come up negative. Anyway, I'm not sure what food it is that triggers my attacks. How cool that you can start figuring out what works for you!!
@Laura - Well shoot a pig 3 feet in the air (as my Grandma Ruth would have said)! I totally forgot about that :( We'll have to go again in 2 mos!
@Jessica - I'd really recommend it, from everything my Dr has told me. I'll let you know first hand out it works for me :)
Did you get this done through your doctor's office? I'm wondering if my insurance would cover it! I feel I def. have food related issues, too. Peanuts, for one, I'm convinced wreak havoc on my digestive system.
I'd die if I had to give up coffee (ok, that isn't true, but I'd be so disappointed.) Good luck, you have a challenge on your hands, but it sounds like you have an amazing attitude.
@WrittenBliss - Yes, I had it done through my Dr's office. She specialized in healing this way. I would assume you could contact ALCAT and ask if they could recommend a Dr in your area.
@Sugar - Thank you, I'm trying :)
Wow, now I want to have a food allergy test too! And I don't think I even have any food allergy issues... but something about knowing exactly what's in each column appeals to the scientist in me :)
I'm glad the thing you're most allergic to is something you hate! Good luck sticking to the other regulations, I really hope it helps you feel better.
Well thank GOD you can still drink wine.
I know you'll do great, and if it makes you healthier in the long run, it's worth it :) We're all here to support you!
I've wanted to have this test done for awhile but I'm not sure my insurance would pay for it. You're awesome for bring so positive about gluten.
Man, this is so interesting! I'm so limited in what I like that I can't imagine doing this. But I'm so happy you're finding your "zone" for eating that will make you healthy and comfortable!
Coffee -- aaaah I'd die. Seriously though, this is a really cool thing you did though.
A relative of mine has Type I Diabetes and Celiacs desease - so limiting! But by eating the appropriate foods you're not only feeling better, you're promoting a longer and healthier life!
This is really interesting, and really detailed. I'd be in tested in doing this, was it covered by your insurance? Not that I really have the discipline to follow through - I'm terrible at diets. I too would not be able to handle being banned from coffee. I'm a total addict. Good luck! I;m really interested to see the results of your new eating plan!
Thanks for the support everyone :)
Regarding the insurance, I'd look into it. I have already met my co-pay so parts of the test were covered. However, I know about how much each step cost and it wasn't astronomical. I bought a kit from my Dr. (about $150), took it to a lab to have my blood drawn ($30), the lab mailed the blood with the kit to ALCAT and ALCAT did the test and sent the results back to my Dr ($120ish).
I'm GF, and it's really not that bad. Yes, there are times when I wish I could eat what everyone else is eating - but today there are SO many options, that it's fine.
For easy GF meals, I cook asian meals or mexican meals and do rice or corn. There is GF pasta (corn, quinoa or rice pasta) and they are all easily used in place of normal pasta.
Also, any recipe that calls for less than 1/4 cup of flour, you can just omit the flour and it will be fine. Or, you can use cornstarch in place of it.
An easy GF peanut butter cookie recipe is 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 egg and 1 cup brown sugar. Seriously - try it, it's great!
If you have a big sweet tooth - pick up Pamela's baking mix to use in place of flour for any baking recipe. Or, GF Bisquick for pancakes. Betty Crocker also has GF brownies, cookies and cakes that are good.
A few things that have gluten in them that surprised me were soy sauce, campbell's soups (most of them), dressings and basic sauces. I'd recommend doing a google search for restaurants that are GF friendly, so you can still go out with friends and enjoy a meal worry free.
Good luck!
@Lara - Thank you for much for the recipe and tips on things to buy :) Especially the tip on the flour, I'm sure that will be very helpful.
Oh my goodness, what a challenge! I would definitely struggle with going gluten-free, but thankfully now there seem to be a ton of options available! I've seen so many items in the grocery store that are gluten free! Justin's aunt has a gluten intolerance as well...so when we get together we're always thinking of what to make for her so she doesn't feel left out of the meal. I'm currently on the lookout for a few recipes (preferably desserts...haha) to make for our next lunch together...if you find some great recipes I hope you post them!
@Katie - I will definitely post them :)
I don’t know if you have already seen this blog or not but she has a lot of gluten free recipes, I thought you might be interested:
http://jenncuisine.com/
@HCM - I didn't know that, thank you :)
Thanks for this post, Ali! I'm trying (keyword: trying) to go gluten free. I have been reading up on links between endometriosis and gluten allergies, and thought I would give it a try. It's been hard - and I wouldn't even consider myself gluten free yet! Best of luck! You can do it!
@Carly - We can do it together :) I'm going to start posting recipes... as soon as I get enough free time to cook. Let me know if you want the Gluten Free blogs I've found so far.
Better to have a test for good seek. Thanks for this post.
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