Day 29—Doing Great, Except for More Inflammation

[catricya]

I am nearing the end of the 30 days, after starting in July and having to start over on Aug. 7 due to some sneaky sulfites. Mostly I feel the same. I've lost what seems to be a decent amount of weight. Body composition has changed for sure. And the light patch of excema on my arm is almost clear. Oh, and I think I've finally nailed that sugar dragon. Which is crazy. I rarely crave sweets. Overall, I'd rate this one a huge success.

 

But I still feel drowsy and tired in the afternoons, I want to nap, my workouts are about the same, and I've certainly not experienced any tiger's blood. The biggest issue is my hands are achy. I've had a touch of arthritis/carpal tunnel for a short time (I'm 35) but never this bad, and it seems like it's actually gotten worse during my Whole30. My hips and back also are inflamed, after several weeks of being completely clear. Anyway, here's a peak at my usual diet.

 

 

Thursday: 

Breakfast: Two egg muffins in prosciutto with added pesto sauce for fat. Serving of roasted brussels sprouts and new potatoes. 

Lunch: Chicken with spaghetti squash and pesto. Roasted butternut squash and mashed cauliflower with ghee. 

Snack: 1 Meatball, veggies and cauliflower hummus with tahini and almond butter

Dinner: Meatballs with spaghetti squash and tomato sauce with mushrooms, roasted brussels sprouts, mashed cauliflower.

 

Friday:

Breakfast: One egg muffin in prosciutto with pesto, 2 meatballs, new potatoes, butternut squash. 

Lunch: Salad with beets, chicken, olive oil and lemon, side of fruit.

Pre WO: 1 meatball 

WO: Run 2 miles (meant it to be shorter, but I left my keys at the gym), lifted weights for 20 minutes. 

Post WO/Dinner (I had to combine due to time constraints and not wanting to eat dinner at 10 p.m.: Meatballs, butternut squash, spaghetti squash and tomato sauce. 

 

I'm thinking maybe I should extend my Whole30 a couple of weeks and drop nightshades from my diet, which sucks, because I've basically been doing this for 52 days. I have to go out to eat with clients and potential clients at least once a week, which is really tricky. And there are birthdays approaching (including mine) and also: tomatoes and peppers? I live for spicy food.

 

Any advice would be helpful. My diet pre-Whole30 was pretty healthy except for the sweet tooth. Though I rarely ate white potatoes, and I started eating them to keep my carbs up (If I don't have enough carbs, I get depressed, and it limits my workouts). I've made an appointment with my doctor for next week. But seriously, thoughts? Should I go another two weeks and drop potatoes, tomatoes and all peppers? 

[jmcbn]

Your meals don't look too bad to me, although some folk report a crash late in the day when they eat fruit or starchy veg in the morning so you might want to switch that up a bit. You also ate A LOT of cauliflower on Thursday - cruciferous veg are problematic for a lot of people... as are tahini & almond butter (or any kind of nuts/nut butters)

PostWO only need be a few bites, and it really will make all the difference to your recovery which could also be the reason for your afternoon slump.

How often are you snacking? Its generally indicative that your meals aren't big enough and will certainly impact fat adaption.

Are you eating a lot of nightshades? I only see potatoes & tomatoes...

If you're coming to Whole30 with medical issues of ANY kind 30 days is likely to be not long enough...

[catricya]

Hey! Thanks for your response! That is some helpful information. I think I've been a little lax on the postWO which could explain some things. Especially when that postWO is after run. I can also switch the carbs to later in the day.  

 

I rarely snack — the one on Thursday had more to do with delaying my actual dinner due to schedule constraints. I don't really get hungry until a little bit before meal time. If I do have to delay eating from my normal time, I don't suffer from blood sugar crashes like I used to.

 

I do eat tomatoes and/or potatoes every day, and increased white potatoes from 0 when I started. I also use a lot of peppers in seasoning. Though I didn't really eat any bell peppers this week, I do most weeks. 

 

As for cruciferous veggies, I eat a lot of those, more than tomatoes, white potatoes or peppers. Brussels spouts, cauliflower, broccoli are my favorite. Though can lead to gas for me. 

[jmcbn]

As for cruciferous veggies, I eat a lot of those, more than tomatoes, white potatoes or peppers. Brussels spouts, cauliflower, broccoli are my favorite. Though can lead to gas for me. 

This might well be your issue - I'd cut back on the cruciferous & see how you go. If they're causing gas they're causing inflammation.

[catricya]

Agh. I was about to go make some cauliflower rice... OK, I'll give it a shot. So do this, but keep the nightshades? Or should I do both? My biggest issues are the tiredness and the inflammation in my hands and hips... 

[jmcbn]

Agh. I was about to go make some cauliflower rice... OK, I'll give it a shot. So do this, but keep the nightshades? 

If you're eating more cruciferous veg than nightshades, and by your own admission they're causing you gas, then yes, remove the likely culprit & if there's no improvement you can inlcude them again & exclude the nightshades - at least that's what I'd do.

 

[Brewer5]

Agh. I was about to go make some cauliflower rice... OK, I'll give it a shot. So do this, but keep the nightshades? Or should I do both? My biggest issues are the tiredness and the inflammation in my hands and hips... 

Potatoes / nightshades can be a HUGE trigger for people with rheumatoid arthritis.  Huge.  I would stop those immediately and watch in awe as it clears up.

[catricya]

Potatoes / nightshades can be a HUGE trigger for people with rheumatoid arthritis.  Huge.  I would stop those immediately and watch in awe as it clears up.

I'm going to try this at the same time for at least two weeks. We'll see. I'll also be heading to the doctor on Thursday so maybe she'll have some added insight. 

[catricya]

Oh my god. I'm on day five of no cruciferous veggies and no nightshades and my energy levels are through the roof AND my inflammation is way down. I think we might have found the problem. Thanks for all the advice guys! 

[Brewer5]

That is awesome news.    Congrats!

[catricya]

Things were going great last week, but this week the inflammation is even worse and I'm exhausted again at the end of the day. :-/ The doctor is running some tests but here's a sample of what I've been up to and eating in case maybe someone can see something that I can't.

 

Meal 1: Salad with Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30, Egg Foo Young (minus the pepper ingredients) with Sunshine Sauce (no red pepper), Bacon, and Green Beans, Compliant Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion. 

Meal 2: Salad with Avocado, Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30, Ground Beef Patty, Sweet Potato Hash with onion and compliant prosciutto 

Pre WO: Meatball

Meal 3 + Post WO (since it was 8 p.m.): Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto + EVOO, 2XChicken and Butternut Squash Puree with Clarified Butter + Chicken Stock from Whole30. 

 

 

 

Meal 1: Salad with Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30, Meat Balls, Bacon, and Green Beans, Compliant Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion. 

Meal 2: Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto + Evoo, Butternut Squash Puree with Clarified Butter + Chicken Stock from Whole30, Salad with Avocado, Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30

Meal 3: Mashed sweet potato w/Clarified Butter + Coconut Milk, Meat Balls, Bacon, and Green Beans, Compliant Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion in Evoo

 

Any help is appreciated!!!! You guys are the best! Thank you!

[GFChris]

Things were going great last week, but this week the inflammation is even worse and I'm exhausted again at the end of the day. :-/ The doctor is running some tests but here's a sample of what I've been up to and eating in case maybe someone can see something that I can't.

 

Meal 1: Salad with Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30, Egg Foo Young (minus the pepper ingredients) with Sunshine Sauce (no red pepper), Bacon, and Green Beans, Compliant Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion. 

Meal 2: Salad with Avocado, Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30, Ground Beef Patty, Sweet Potato Hash with onion and compliant prosciutto 

Pre WO: Meatball

Meal 3 + Post WO (since it was 8 p.m.): Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto + EVOO, 2XChicken and Butternut Squash Puree with Clarified Butter + Chicken Stock from Whole30. 

 

 

 

Meal 1: Salad with Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30, Meat Balls, Bacon, and Green Beans, Compliant Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion. 

Meal 2: Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto + Evoo, Butternut Squash Puree with Clarified Butter + Chicken Stock from Whole30, Salad with Avocado, Carrot, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Raspberry + Blueberry with Raspberry Vinaigrette from Whole30

Meal 3: Mashed sweet potato w/Clarified Butter + Coconut Milk, Meat Balls, Bacon, and Green Beans, Compliant Bacon, Mushrooms and Onion in Evoo

 

Any help is appreciated!!!! You guys are the best! Thank you!

Maybe try removing FODMAPs? From what you listed above, that would be apples, celery, mushroom, onion, and avocado.

[Brewer5]

Good thought, Chris.  I've had serious FODMAP issues in the past, on my first 2 Whole 30's, before I figured it out.

 

It is NOT normal for me to look pregnant all the time.      OP, how has your digestion been?

 

I will go find my favorite FODMAP chart.

 

Well, I know nothing about Pinterest, but here it is.  If you can find a way to print it!

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/220324606743781123/

 

Wait, here is maybe a better link to it:

 

http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/08/modifying-paleo-for-fodmap-intolerance.html

[catricya]

Haha. My digestion has been ok. A little gassy and a lot constipated though. I do have a little paunch that is still sticking around. 

 

The thing is that I've removed nightshades and cruciferous veggies, which with no FODMAPS...how do you people do it?!?! What is there left to eat? 

 

ETA: Last week I was eating high FODMAP foods and the inflammation went down significantly. :-/ 

[Brewer5]

Some people do it differently -- testing one group of FODMAPs at a time.  (There are different ones, you will see listed after most of the foods on that chart -- fructose, polyols, etc).

 

What I did was to eat in the green column until I felt a quite noticeable difference.

 

That doesn't have to be forever.  Just until you get everything calmed down.

 

Then start trying things, one at a time.  It's really not that bad.  And if you were experiencing the sort of BLOAT that I had so often -- man, it was worth it.  So worth it!

[jmcbn]

Yeah, I'm currenlty doing low FODMAP having always suspected I'd a problem with cruciferous veg, but never really getting rid of the bloat, which just seemed to getting worse in recent weeks.

Another member had posted recently about feeling absolutely STUFFED after eating, but not 'full' and Carlaccini one of the other moderators who eats low FODMAP said that the feeling described sounded familiar & I had a light-bulb moment. Then when I looked at the low FODMAP shopping list showing items to avoid a lot of them where the cruciferous veg I knew were giving me issues (broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, cauliflower & cabbage) but I could see that I'd been relying quite heavily on some of the others like beets, onions, avocados & mushrooms. In fact chopped pickled beets & apple had become one of my favourite (& daily) additions to my salads...

After just a few days of eliminating the offending foods I saw improvement. Disappointingly I don't actually tolerate avocado as well as I thought I did (I didn't cut those out initially) so they've had to go too.

That's a really good list that Brewer has linked to - I can see foods on there from my preWhole30 days that were very obviously causing me issues too, and some I should probably eat less of now than I do...
 

As Brewer said, if FODMAPS are your problem it will be SO worth it to remove them & finally feel some relief. 
 

[catricya]

Holy crap! Doctor called and I have Hashimotos. she said the extra inflammation is from an increase in my thyroid meds and is switching the meds to something new. Should take care of it. Thanks guys!!!!