Eliminating foods from your diet is very challenging, yet it can have many benefits to your health. Regardless of the benefits, eliminating foods can cause some distress when it comes topreparing meals or just eating in general. It leaves many saying “I cannot eat anything”. Hopefully this blog will provide some ideas on how to approach the elimination diet, or just making healthier food choices in general.
1. Fruits and Vegetables are your Friend
Though some diets might limit some of the vegetables or fruits you are allowed to eat, fruits and vegetables can be a good way to “fill you up”. Having plenty of fruits and vegetables pre – cut for snacks is a good way to avoid going to the snack items that you might not be allowed to have.
2. Cook Meals for the Week on Weekends or In Advance
Cooking meals for the week is a great way to avoid resorting to fast food items. It also takes away from the prep time that might be required with having more of a “whole – foods” type of diet. With this in mind, planning meals is another good way to avoid returning to old eating habits that might be more “convenient”.
3. Drink Water
Water is important to help you stay full, as well as help prevent you from going to those food options that are less than ideal. Water is also beneficial to help your body to detoxify during this time. Often, when we restrict the foods that we often consume, it can cause out bodies to go through a type of “withdrawal”. Drinking water helps our bodies to go through this process a bit more smoothly.
4. Experiment
Use these restrictions on your diet as a way to embrace new ways of food preparation. You might be surprised as to what you actually like (and don’t like). Using recipes on-line or in cook books, as well as spices and new products (maybe Brown Rice Pasta as opposed to Wheat – based pasta) can help you come up with creative ideas for meal planning.
5. Get Your Household Involved
As mentioned above, eliminating foods can be a challenging task for anyone. What might not help is when your loved ones are eating those foods you have eliminated, and you are the only one in your household adopting these diet changes. Depending on your household arrangements and those living in your household, I would encourage all of the members of your household to adopt the diet changes. It will help give you support during this time, as well as give more bonding in regards to meal preparation and planning.
Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.
This recipe is great for those who need to avoid gluten and dairy, but need a little sugar fix. These cookies are also easy to make and take very little time. Try it out and let me know what you think!
