Whole 30 for severe food allergies

[ally_c]

Hi all,

 

In It Starts with Food, Dallas and Melissa express the importance of eating eggs daily. But I have a severe allergy to eggs and seafood. I also have dificulty digesting pork and beef. I'm wondering if anyone might have some suggestions for good sources of lean protein?

 

I eat a lot of chicken and turkey. But it gets old. I typically get my protein from fowl, beans and lentils, and minimally processed soy foods. I understand legumes and soy are not allowed on the Whole 30. Any ideas how I might get my protein needs met?

 

Thanks!
Ally

 

 

[GlennR]

Eggs are not a requirement for Whole30. Neither are lean protein. You can have fatty cuts, but try to make sure the animals have been raised right (grass-fed, pastured, free range, etc.) to avoid the toxins endemic in factory farm meats.

 

Since eggs and seafood are out, stick with the chicken, turkey, and other fowl. Good news is, there are thousands of way to prepare them, so you don't have to lack for variety. This is a chance to hone your kitchen ninja skills! I would also suggest inserting a little bit of beef and pork now and then, specially towards the end of your Whole30. Once your gut starts to heal, there's a chance you might have an easier time digesting them. Digestive enzymes might also help with this.

 

The most important guide is the meal template. Follow it for the best chance of success.

 

Good luck! Post again (in the Troubleshooting forum) if you encounter difficulties.

[Guest Andria]

I am not sure what you mean when you say you have difficulties digesting pork and beef.  Considering you are changing your diet for the better by following the Whole30 plan, you might want to reconsider introducing both beef and pork in limited quantities as you progress through the program.  It is possible that you may achieve some level of gut healing with this program and will be able to tolerate beef and/or pork.  I say this since you did not qualify your problems with these two proteins as food allergy or sensitivity.  

 

Actually, I just realized GlennR  said the same thing in his post.  I second his suggestion to add in digestive enzymes.  You may even want to try some Betaine HCL, as well.  Always check for non-compliant ingredients in these supplements.  Also, be sure to add a serving of fermented foods - fermented sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha - daily to provide a good dose of probiotics.

[Carlaccini]

Just a thought here.

 

I can relate with you on the digesting of pork.  My body - even now - does not digest pork well. (binds me up terribly, and I usually have a skin reaction)  Doesn't mean I never eat it.  I just need to make sure it's from a better sourced animal.  So minimum organic, ideally grass fed animal.  And it needs to be cooked well - so no pink.  So if it's of all of these things - I have a minimal reaction.

 

I don't know what you reaction to pork and beef are, but I will suggest that if you do choose to eat it, try to source a grass fed animal, or at minimum an organically fed one.  You might find that you digest it better.  It truly does really make a big difference for some of us on what our food actually eats.

[praxisproject]

Have you tried lamb? It's a red meat which isn't beef and is often raised differently. If you can get New Zealand lamb, it's quite likely grassfed.

 

If you're eating mostly fowl, make sure you have plenty of bone broth and liver, these contain important factors for gut healing, as does gelatin.

 

Kombucha is another gut healer which may help you with digestion.

 

If your food doesn't digest, you may want to try not drinking liquids with meals, this maximises the stomach acid (no dilution). 

 

You may find a lot more gut healing without the legumes and soy, both are big gut disrupters for me.

 

While this is more for vegetarians, you may find some of the information useful:

http://whole9life.com/2013/02/eating-meat-a-primer-for-the-meat-challenged-2/