Were you always allergic? When did this happen?

I work in corporate america.  Part of my job includes entertainment of my clients.  Going out to lunch is an event that happens frequently for me.  Whether alone or with others, it can be challenging.

What did people with food allergies do before the internet?  What did they do before it was more common?  I live in the south which is full of BBQ and fried foods, neither of which I can have.  So what do I do?  Prepare!

I search "gluten free restaurants" as a starting point.  I'm also allergic to dairy and eggs so to me, this is just the beginning.  I call and or email the restaurant.  Restaurants owners and chefs have been incredibly kind, they will email me the list of ingredients or allergens in items I'm interested in.  My favorite, and probably yours if you're reading this, is the allergen menus which have been popping up all over.

Throughout my inflammation test I found I was allergic to gluten, dairy and eggs.  I avoid soy because can be extremely harmful to those with thyroid issues.  I react to even a little bit of soy.  While I use to eat organic meat, chicken and wild fish, about 6 months ago I started to swell up from these items so I became a vegetarian.  Being allergic to dairy and eggs have made me a vegan.  I call myself a gluten free soy free vegan.  I am not a vegan for fundamental purposes, I am asked this question frequently, and I do hope to try chicken again....soon.

What about when I travel to small towns and there are almost no options?  I bring my own food.  My go to's are Lundberg brown rice stackers which are essentially thin rice cakes.  I bring along avocados and raw almond butter.  In the hot south it can be a challenge to leave food in my car but these have held up.  I have a packet of raw pumpkin seeds, pepitas, which I sprinkle on top of meals for added protein.  Even when I could eat meat, I would choose vegetarian options due to the hormones in the chicken and meat.  I also carry organic apples and pears.  

One item that is always with me are Macrobars.  My favorite flavor is Protein Pleasure and Wholehearted Heaven. Protein Pleasure is my go to, it tastes fantastic, has protein and keeps hunger away.  There have been several occasions where I haven't finished my meal, or picked through it because I could feel a reaction coming along.  I pop in one of these and I can go the rest of the afternoon without feeling hungry.

I started writing this blog because I get the same questions when someone finds out I'm allergic to a list of foods.  "Have you always been like this?", "When did you find out?", "What do you eat?" and the final statement, "I feel SO bad for you".

So this is the deal, no I haven't always been like this, I found out over the past few years and I eat A LOT!  Finally, please don't feel bad for me.  Feel bad for me when I have a reaction, when I can't get out of bed, my eyes and stomach swell up, when I have extreme muscle fatigue or my tongue and lips go numb.  These are just a few of the reactions I've had.  Hands down the worst is when I can't get out of bed.  People really don't get it until it happens to them.  I didn't get it even when it was happening to me.  I am extremely active and when I can't get out of bed and hit the gym I'm not a happy camper.  This my friends is why I am so strict with my food intake.  These are the reasons why I would rather almost starve then have something that may be contaminated.

Vacation Fat

I recently returned from a trip to Arizona with my sister and mom.  We went to my beloved Sedona.  If you haven't heard of this magical city you must check it out.  It is my heaven on earth.  The skies are blue, sunsets are colorful and you are surrounded by lots of greens and mountains.  My favorite part?  I have a list of places I can eat!  From pizza to sandwiches and boy do I indulge.

While you're reading this, remember how I've mentioned I do eat?  Let me tell you, when I can eat, I do, and I did!  So much that I put on 5 lbs.  Now 5 lbs to a "normal" person who's thyroid functions is not bad.  They can go back to a healthy diet and the pounds melt back off.  To those that are hypothyroid or have hoshimotos, that increase can make your heart drop.  

First step?  Drink up, and I'm not talking alcohol.  Water in abundance.  While I typically drink half my body weight in ounces a day, I do about one and a quarter to one and a half.  I add lemons for an added boost.  It helps the detoxification process and increases the speed of my weight loss.  

Second, my diet is clean.  I only eat foods I know will not cause inflammation and I do my best to take my last bite at least 3 hours before my head hits the pillow.  Salt intake is decreased and probiotics increased.  Side note, I recently learned many probiotics are contaminated with gluten so make sure if you're gluten free to verify your probiotics.  Go back to your clean diet, make sure to only put in foods that are anti-inflammatory for YOUR body.  

Finally while you may think this workout girl steps it up and does 2 a days but that's not the case.  With a thyroid condition that can only increase the swelling.  I am guilty of overexercising however I have learned it has the opposite effect.  I will only allow myself to do this if I need an outlet and working out is going to allow me to let go of some stress.  Instead of working out like a crazy woman, I hit the treadmill and break a sweat with walking for 45 minutes a day.  If I decide to do a 2nd exercise, it's yoga.  On the days I don't do my treadmill I will do some light weight lifting, pilates or a Barre class.  No spin classes, crossfit, running or anything else vigorous.  

So that's it!  Sounds easy yet the journey can be a challenge if you're type A and impatient.  Allow your body to let it go, realize and know you've done it before and can do it again!