adding food- please help!

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For 3 months Dr B has suggested I start list 3 and then I tell her I haven't really gone through list 2 and she says "ok take that slowly and then start list 3" but usuallly I have just changed an herb so she says wait until you feel stable before starting list 3. I am starting to go nuts because I never get to list 3. I have said before my symptoms are manageble most of the time but I haven't seen that huge improvement that allows me to try stuff without fear. ALso I am still so up and down even when my basic level seems to be mostly better. I am beginnin to think I just need to jump into list 3 or I will lose it.I pretty much still eat list 1 and I think it is becoming a bit nuts.

 

Please tell me your experiences with adding foods. Were you stable for say a week before you added? I am never "good" for many days straight wlthough overall I think I am improving. it just isn't linear. BTW_ I am almost 10 months in.

 

Thanks-

fahlmank's picture
fahlmank

Hi Deir;)
  I have found that just as my treatment has not been linear, neither is my food progression. I can handling items from List 3 just fine- like blueberries and tomatoes, but still cannot handle an egg. I would vote for moving on to list three and think it of suggested foods that are a next step BUT listen closely to if your body agrees with that next step. Sometimes that isn't even clear for me. For example.... I love the plain yogurt with some almond butter mixed in, but cannot handle it all the time so I sort of have to pick my "strong" days even though I crave it all the time;) 
  If a food is going to bother you, I think you will notice it bother your equilibrium.... even if it isn't a completely stable one yet. I have the benefit of having done an IGG blood sensitivity test a year ago before I started with Matia (she does not believe them necessary) but the test was helpful for me. The test told me which foods react to the antibody level in my blood and cause inflammation. So... for example... all gluten foods tested positive for me so I cut out gluten and felt much better, but didn't have a reaction to potatoes or rice.... so I knew it was not all grains. That was really helpful for me. I think you can get the same information from an elimination diet, but I imagine it will take a little longer;)
Also, I would think that after being on a restrictive list for too long may end up being a nutritional issue so that may be why she would want you to try adding in more foods after 10 months;) I hope this helps. I think of you often and hope you (and your little ones) are well.
Katie
 

Claire's picture
Claire

hi Deir (and Katie), 
I am having the same problem.  She has told me for months and months (like 8 months) to try beans and to work through list 3.  I am tentatively doing that, but oh-so-slowly and then when I do try something, I think I rev myself up with anxiety and can't figure out if I'm having symptoms from trying something new or from my own stress level.  I have definitely tackled about half of list 3 and also eat almond butter without any major issue, so I assume some of the other items are fine since almond butter is supposedly more tough to handle than other foods.  But I have a mental block against certain foods, which is definitely holding me back. 
Clearly I don't have any great suggestions, I just wanted to assure you that you're not alone. I also wanted to tell you that my progress has been much slower than she initially said it would be.  She said she thought I'd be symptom free in a year (we're hitting month 11 right now) and while I've improved drastically, I'm certainly not symptom-free.  I feel confident in the program, it's just going to take as long as it takes.  Good luck with fearless food sampling! 
Claire
 

deir's picture
deir

Thanks ladies!!
 
My issue is I ALWAYS think things bother me because I am NEVER really at a low baseline for long! I think I will try the darn foods and then only assume it is bugging me if there is a major shift. Also- when I am good I don't want to rock the boat plus it is so depressing when I get worse and then I blame the food. I feel freaked out that she says at the top of the diet list that you can measure progerss through moving up the lists.
 
Claire- I think we are a lot alike mentally! No judgement- I'm just saying....LOL
 
Katie- thinking of you too!
 
Almond butter- oh how I dream of you!

Claire's picture
Claire

That's always my thought, if I'm having a great spell, why mess it up by trying something new?  What's more important: eating a tomato or having a comfortable day? I know being adventurous and confident is important, but, you know.
 
 

deir's picture
deir

Ok- I just tried 3 delicious amazing spoonfuls of greek yogurt.
 
The other thing I was going to say about the diet is I feel like I am following the "letter of the law" and not always the "spirit of the law" Like, if I could eat almond butter or other things, I'd eat fewer potato chips and rice cakes, you know what I mean?
 
Anyway- I'll let you know how the yogurt works out.

cprince's picture
cprince

I am with all of you! I have not really been given free reign on trying a whole list at a time, mostly list 1 to start out with 2 items on list 2 and 2 items on list 3, but I had my appointment yesterday and was given the go ahead to try blueberries, mango and cashew butter. Probably more for the nutrition side of things. Very excited, but anxious at the same time! I want to wait until I know how my body feels with the protocol changes before diving in! I am currently 11 months in and can't believe the day has finally come to add in some fruit. I have been dreaming of this day for a very long time, but am anxious of severe pain that could result, but I guess I won't know unless I give it a shot!
Deir I hope the yogurt settles well with you! Here's to trying new foods, and tolerating them okay! Best of luck to you all!:)