Hi Flexies :),
I’m back. My doctors were unable to find a single allergy. So my strange internal flareups were attributed to IBS and food intolerances. To manage my symptoms and keep me living a relatively healthy and happy life my doctors and I have struck a compromise. I eat a 95% Paleo diet. During my testing period I was strictly 100% Paleo and while it was not difficult I’m a flexible person and don’t do well with restrictions. So Living 95% Paleo was the compromise I decided on.
Doctor Recommendations for living with IBS: (And my commentary)
> Limit Intake of Lactose Products (NO ICE CREAM!!!! 😦 )
> Limit Intake of Gluten (BUT THE BREAD!!!!!!!! 😦 )
> Limit Amounts of Processed Foods ( o.O?!! THEN WHAT AM I TO EAT?!!!)
> Limit High Fructose Corn Syrup ( o.o!! What Am I to DRINK?!!!!)
> Limit Foods That Seem to Cause Intestinal Distress (Well that’s specific huh?)
While I had been on a strict paleo diet for 30 days I found it too restricted for my often busy and rather hectic city to suburb lifestyle (and I was a bit lazy and discouraged by failures). During the first 30 days I was 100% paleo and while it was satisfying and I ate often I was craving items like bread and milk (which i rarely ever drink). While I used paleo staples like coconut or almond milk to calm cravings I had a hard time giving up on things I loved. So I struck the 95% compromise.
What is the 95% Compromise?
The doctor recommended I limit the amount of processed foods I ate. My response was the purchase all my produce fresh from the produce section or freezer section. (yeah yeah freezer isn’t fresh but its better then canned). I limit my canned food purchases, not I only stock them for emergencies like earthquakes and don’t eat them every day.
I do keep lactose pills and purchase lactose free dairy products but nearly 98% of dairy has been eliminated from my home diet. I mostly run into it in the world outside my home. This holds true for gluten. I go weeks without eating any bread and if I eat a sandwich every once in a while I’m not dying. (The doctors say I’m not celiacs so bread shouldn’t hurt me).
The Death of HFC (High Fructose Corn Syrup) was the hardest thing for me. I was a soda junkie. What normal 24 year old isn’t? I grew up in a home were soda was ever present and it just tastes so delicious right? It’s sweet and fizzy and when its a fresh bottle you just can’t get a more refreshing taste. Or can you?
With the loss of HFC I was forced albeit begrudgingly to drink water. Water (H2O) is one of the most amazing substances found on this planet ( I appreciated it always from a science standpoint) but from a drinking stand point it was always sodas. Now a days I drink upwards to 90oz of water a day. The cool crisp taste of fresh ice cold water from the fridge is just refreshing. Once I was used to it I found sodas to be too strong in flavor. Now a days I may order 1 soda if I’m out with friends at a bar but otherwise you’re more likely to find my reusable glass water bottle in my hand then a bottle of coke (something a year ago would have been the opposite).
Limiting intake of grains/gluten, dairy, and HFC and following the paleo diet closely but not restrictively has assisted me with living a happy and healthy life. These simple steps have allowed me to go back to the foodie world :)!! And that means I’ll have more amazing things to share with you soon.
Thanks for reading,
Jordan Lynn
* PS: Look for changes to come soon to the site 🙂
A Flexitarian's Life 
Recent Comments