I believe that the inner-hippy in all of us seeks a cleanse every once in awhile. Whether you binge on alcohol, drugs, sugar or fast-food, we all crave something unhealthy – we all feel unhealthy at times. Well, I not only feel unhealthy lately but I also have some serious digestive concerns. It is for these 2 reasons that I have chosen the less traveled path. Starting tomorrow I begin an elimination diet and a cleanse.

Let’s start with the elimination diet explanation. For those of you who a) don’t live on the West coast, b) have never visited a naturopath, or c) don’t immerse yourself in dietary literature, an elimination diet is used to help an individual determine what foods cause them allergic reactions. The symptoms can be various, from digestive to emotions to body aches to respiratory. In my case, the severity of the digestive issues in my life have led me to this “diet.”

The process of the diet is as follows: one eliminates certain food items from their diet for a period of weeks or months; and then, after a determined period of time passes, each item is reintroduced to the individual’s diet. As each item is consumed over the course of several days, it is then removed from consumption and the individual notices differences in health. For me, the items chosen for elimination are based on a blood test prescribed by my naturopath. I received the results yesterday. The following items will be completely removed from my diet (and weekly menus) for the next 2 months:

• green beans
• kidney beans
• pinto beans
• yellow wax beans
• soy beans
• clams
• oysters
• scallops
• mushrooms
• eggs
• grapefruits
• oranges
• lemons
• limes
• tangerines
• tomatoes
• wheat
• baker’s yeast
• brewer’s yeast

In total, there are 19 items that will be eliminated from my diet starting tomorrow. My blood was tested with 115 different food antigens and had negative reactions to those listed above. Beyond the 100-mile diet, I think this will be the toughest food challenge yet! But I am not afraid or nervous, though maybe a bit saddened. I think eggs, tomato and yeast will be the most difficult items to avoid, as they are found in many of my favorite or commonly-made meals. It should also be noted that yeast is found in wine, beer, sake and some liquor (depending on how many times it’s distilled), as well as vinegar. No vinegar means no salad dressing, anything pickled or balsamic sauce reductions. Yes, this will be a challenge.

BUT, after 2 months I will slowly reintroduce these 19 food items one at a time. Depending on their affect, I will either completely eliminate them from my diet or eat them on occasion. No matter the difficulty of this challenge, I do seek health and sanity. Ultimately, I am willing to sacrifice any of these items if it means I can live a more “normal” life. Now, it’s just a matter of time.

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The cleanse on the other hand, is not intended to help me lose or gain weight or even affect my digestive ideals. Rather, my goals are to experience a ‘cleaner’ self – one with less overeating, sugar binges and uncomfortable physical sensations. To attain these goals, starting tomorrow I will refrain from consuming sugar, caffeine and alcohol for one month. I don’t think caffeine and alcohol will be difficult especially since the latter is eliminated with the yeast allergy. Here, the real challenge will be sugar. No refined sugar, no honey, no maple syrup. The only sweetener I’m allowing is agave nectar. Compared to sugar, agave nectar is like a mouse next to a lion.

After reading this article on sugar addiction, I was destined to change my ways. Long story short, sugar’s affect on our brain and behavior is equivalent to heroine. And the people who know this best are companies that produce scores of processed foods doused in sugar, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup. To confront this world of sugar that we live in and to empower myself as a sugar-free human, capable of making eating choices out of choice and not addiction, I will refrain from sugar for a month. Thereafter, it will depend on how I feel or how I want to feel. The fact that this cleanse coincides with the elimination diet is a good thing. I think the combination will be for the better.

Over the next several weeks I hope to write occasionally on this experience. For those of you with your own dietary challenges or eating resolutions, the best of luck to you!

Everyone else, happy new year!

Related posts:

1. Eggs (weekly menu 23)
2. The Pains of Eliminating (weekly menu 19)
3. Sorry for the Delay (weekly menu 17)
4. The 100-Mile Diet vs. World Hunger (part 2)
5. Kale, how I love thee (weekly menu 5)

Tags: diet, food literacy