Cherylmc Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Hi, I am about to start Whole 30 but I am already feeling a bit frustrated with meal planning. About 2 months ago, my doctor did a blood test for food allergies. Not because I was having any symptoms but just for information. The 2-3 level allergens are shrimp, apples & hazelnuts. The low level ones are strawberries, almonds, coconut, tomatoes & parsley. My doctor said I should always avoid the 2 & 3 but can indulge an occasional craving for the level 1 items. Now that I need to eliminate so many items for Whole 30, adding these supposed allergens to the list is making it more daunting. I was planning to get some RX bars for days on the go but they are made with almonds, apples or coconut. Coconut cream features in many of the recipies that appealed to me. And tomatoes! They are in so many things as well. I know I can eliminate them in most cases, but I really like chili & red sauces. I read that many people's food allergies were alleviated after Whole 30. I don't feel any different when I eat the low level allergens. Although, since my current diet includes gluten, dairy, sugar, etc, it would be difficult to isolate any effects. My question is: should I just ignore this information and include the low level allergens for the 30 days? My concern isn't that I will eat something that is not on the plan, but that I won't eat. I am on the go a lot between various freelance jobs and I eat away from home quite often. I generally carry macro bars with me, but they are not whole 30 approved. I understand that people cannot offer medical advice and in the end, I will need to make my own choice, but I am interested in what others might suggest. Thanks, Cheryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcbn Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Do you feel any better by excluding the shrimp, apple & hazelnuts?The improvement in allergy symptoms you refer to can happen, but it will depend very much on the type of allergy (or intolerance) that you have. Sometimes an allergy is caused by over exposure to a particular food item, and by eliminating it for a period of 6-8 weeks the gut has time to heal & the food can be reintroduced without issue. You should know, however, that this is not always the case.I think a Whole30 is definitely do-able for you so long as you focus on the HUGE amount of food you can have rather that what you can't. Many people choose not to eat fruit or nuts at all so you can pretty much exclude those for starters, and there are a multitude of recipes out there that are Whole30 compliant which do not contain almonds, coconut, tomatoes & parsley - it's just a matter of seeking them out so that you are prepared. The recipe sharing forum might be a good place to start. Or check out nom nom paleo and theclothesmakethegirl - both have a tonne of Whole30 compliant recipes, just remember to check all the ingredients.As for emergency foods, start out by using hard boiled eggs, tinned fish, hardy vegetables like carrot sticks, packs of olives, compliant jerky or epic bars & leave the RX & Larabars for a true emergency like waiting on the summit of Everest for ten hours to be airlifted to safety when a weather front has very quickly moved in If you can plan for an emergency you can plan to have proper food too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherylmc Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Thank you for your response. It was getting frustrating since my friend who will be doing whole 30 with me was trying to help me figure out stuff I could make & freeze so as not to cook every night or things to have on the go and all the things she was suggesting involved one or more of the allergens. I definitely feel better without shrimp & hazelnuts in my diet. Didn't notice a difference excluding apples. And I have been mostly avoiding the lower level allergens as well. In the times I have deliberately eaten them, such as pasta with tomato sauce to see how I feel, I have felt no adverse reactions. I am hoping that after Whole 30, the level one allergens will no longer be an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 I have about 20 food sensitivities, including eggs, some nuts, and some fruit and veg. I've done multiple whole 30s and have made it work and you can, too! Check out Well Fed for lots of yummy recipes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherylmc Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 Thanks Karen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercy Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I have some food allergies as well, I am just hoping that with some advanced planning and making weekly menus I can work around my allergies. Believe me...not being able to have tomatoes kinda stinks, but I can figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.