If you eat, this is important to watch. If you feed your kids- this is important to watch.

I am going to compare food and the physical and biochemical response it has on your body with drugs.  I don’t think most of us would tell an alcoholic “everything in moderation”, right?  It’s actually very similar to food.

When you are attempting to create new habits, new relationships with food and a new, improved body, I am going to say that everything in moderation is not the best way to start.  It might be the best way to BE but some healing has to occur in the body before that is successful.

Foods like gluten and sugar are inflammatory- your body craves them to keep the “addiction” going. Think of it like bacteria.  Your body might not have the enzymes present to break down certain foods so your body is reacting to that like bacteria.  The more you feed it, the more it grows (and the more you crave it).  This cycle will continue and you will think you are an emotional eater because you have these strong, physical cravings.  When actually it’s just your body responding to something you are unable to break down with ease.

For example, before I gave up gluten, I used to salivate at the smell of pizza.  Can you relate?  I used to think that pizza was my favorite food and I could not live without it. (doesn’t that just sound like an addiction?  Even if you agreed with me, we have to be slightly objective here)  Well after being gluten free for a month or so, I drove past a pizza place and could smell a lot of pizza.  What I noticed was that I did not have a physical reaction.  I thought about the pizza, but I did not salivate (like you might be right now).  That was one of my first big clues as to the effect of inflammatory foods in my body.

Emotionally, I understand that choosing not to have any gluten or sugar brings up feelings of lack and restriction ( you are talking to the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Trainer).    But this is where biochemically, your body is creating a craving and addiction that you do not benefit from.  Once you can eliminate these things completely for awhile, heal your gut and realize that you do not actually crave these foods anymore, you will have a different relationship with them and THEN can add them back into your diet IN MODERATION.  You will have healed the physical and emotional response by eliminating them first and seeing “the truth” behind your cravings.

I proclaimed many times that I would never give up dairy. Well, here we are in Sept and I gave up dairy at the end of March.  I did add some back in a few times in August but I went almost 5 months and did not miss it.  But the trick is I replaced everything I love and craved with a substitute.  I did a video on it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Bottom line, when you are emotionally ready, make the choice to eliminate certain foods from your diet for at least 30 days and give yourself and your body the opportunity to learn something new and make a shift.

Call us if you want some help deciding what and how!  Invisible Fitness

PS:  After I filmed that video, I found many more substitutes for dairy that I LOVE!  It’s a fun experiment that forces you to try new foods.  If you want to take the challenge.

Notes about the video here: I have to make a correction.  The Alcat test is not the best test for gluten.  Even though I read that I was not sensitive, this test would not be the way to tell.  I have remained 99% gluten free since this test anyway.  When I do eat it occasionally, I take a digestive enzyme to help break it down.

Breakfast

• Oatmeal with yogurt
• Gluten free cereal
• Breakfast burrito made with corn tortilla
• Eggs and potatoes
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Gluten free toast with peanut butter
• Gluten free bagel and egg sandwich
• Energy First protein shake

Lunch and Dinner

• Salad with grilled chicken or steak
• Fish with vegetables or rice
• Any meat, veggie with rice or potato
• Sausage link and polenta
• Grilled Cheese and ham( or turkey, beef, etc) made with GF bread

Snacks

• Fruit and cheese
• Rice crackers with cheese or peanut butter
• Lara Bar or Think Thin Bar
• Energy First Protein Shake

Dessert

• Chocolate- milk or dark
• Gluten free brownies, cake, cookies
• Ice Cream and Sorbet
• Fruit with Yogurt
• Hot Chocolate
• WineJ

There are more options available than what I listed above but I am also trying to consider the healthier choices as well as gluten free.   Consult with me, J.J. Flizanes, or Jeanne Peters RD (nourishingwellness.com) for more info and ideas about going gluten free!

By J.J. Flizanes, Director of Invisible Fitness

800 571 5722 / www.invisiblefitness.com