elimination diet

Has anyone tried an elimination diet to see if they have food intolerance? I know I don't have allergies, but I'm thinking I might be intolerant to something. I've been trying to lose weight and I don't eat as much as I used to, but I sometimes feel bloated and full right before or right after lunch. I typically eat food that isn't great for me so maybe I never noticed feeling yucky all the time. But now it's odd to me to feel yucky after eating relatively healthy.

For breakfast, I typically have yogurt, baby carrots, and an apple (sometimes saltine crackers to fill me up). At lunch I'll have a frozen dinner and grapes. Based on that, it could be dairy or wheat.

I googled elimination diet and there's a lot of info out there but I'm wondering if anyone has tried it and successfully found the culprit, how you feel, etc. Anyone have a good specific plan to follow? I'm not usually good about making meal plans on my own.

elimination diet

Are the frozen dinners high in sodium? That could contribute to the bloated ick feeling as well... just a random thought.

elimination diet

Yeah, I'm sure they are, but I feel bloated before I even eat them (after only yogurt, carrots, and apple). And I don't feel bloated every day - just enough that it makes me think things are changing in my aging body!

Re: elimination diet

Sometimes a lactose intolerance can cause bloating.
You can try eliminating it and see if it helps
You can also try Lactaid pills right when you eat dairy.

elimination diet

Yes, maybe it's something in the yogurt... some lactose intolerant people can tolerate yogurt and hard cheeses, but...some can't.

Is that all the dairy you consume during the day? Perhaps try switching out something for the yogurt in the morning and see if that helps after a while?

Re: elimination diet

Re: elimination diet

If you want to follow a regimen, try Whole 30.
It's pretty restrictive in the beginning, but once you complete the 30 days, you begin to re-introduce certain foods back into your diet.

Apples and grapes can make me bloated, it's the fiber and the natural sugar, plus you are eating carrots too.

Re: elimination diet

Yes unfortunately a lot of foods that are healthy are also bloating!

You can also try a probiotic

elimination diet

Thanks for the info. Bummer that healthy food can make you feel yucky. I used to feel that way about apples (felt hungrier after I ate them) but I don't notice it now.

I'll look into Whole 30. I sometimes do Fat Smash Diet (created by the guy that was the dr on Celebrity Fit Club) and it sounds similar. Start off with more restrictive diet then slowly add stuff.

elimination diet

The Activia yogurts didn't sit well with me. If symptoms aren't every day, maybe try a food journal first.

Re: elimination diet

The foods you listed contain A LOT of sugar, and salt.. That could be your problem.

There are true healthy foods, and then there are foods that are not junk, or natural foods and there is definitely a difference.

elimination diet

Fruits and vegetables can cause you to feel bloated if you are not use to eating them- yogurt, carrots and apple and salintes is not a well balanced meal- it could simply be a combination of foods that does not sit well with you. Have you tried using a food diary like my fitness pal to track what nutrients you are eating- it might be very helpful. It will also help you see what macronutrients you are lacking.

As for an elimination diet you give up all foods containing a potential allergen for a period of time- usually 8 weeks for dairy then slowly add it back into your diet. I do not suggest doing this if you have just changed your eating habits bc that could also cause GI upset.

elimination diet

Apples are extremely bloating, so are grapes, as is any frozen dinner, they are chockfull of sodium.
Not trying to be mean, but what you listed as healthy, isn't. Is it at least Plain Greek yogurt you are eating? Because if it's regular fruit flavored yogurt, you might as well be eating a cookie. Carrots are also a more "carby" vegetable for lack of a better term!

Message edited 11/9/2017 4:21:01 PM.

Re: elimination diet

Also if the yogurt is "light and fit" or reduced sugar or any of that, (100 calorie etc) the artificial sweeteners in it could bloat you

Try eating some protein in the morning instead. I like to take hard boiled eggs to work. Easy to grab and go (make a batch ahead of time and keep in the fridge) and good protein.
I also never get bloated from them and EVERYTHING bloats me

Message edited 11/9/2017 4:32:26 PM.

elimination diet

I've been on Weight Watchers since Feb. When I first started, I was eating a lot more fruits and veggies than what my body had been used to. I was losing weight, but felt bloated a lot of the time. I'm also on some WW groups on FB and many people mentioned the same thing. It went away after a while - I guess my body eventually adjusted. So, it could be your body adjusting to the new way you are eating

elimination diet

What kind of yogurt? I get that feeling from Greek yogurt, or Activia, both of which I don't eat anymore!

elimination diet

yes, i tried an elimination diet my cousin recommended and i realized that dairy makes me feel gassy and bloated - not my friend. the diet had a specific plan to follow which made it easy as far as knowing what to eat and what not to eat. the first few days are hard! it eliminates sugar as well, to regulate your blood sugar and reduce cravings. but, after that, i found it pretty easy to follow, i lost weight and had more energy. message me if you want more info.