My New Diet

I’ve tried many diets.

Several years ago I completed a research study at Duke comparing the low fat diet to the Atkins diet. I was assigned to the Atkins diet. I lost weight. Not nearly enough enough for the 6 months I was on it. And I stuck to it religiously. As I neared the end of the diet, the researchers told me that if it weren’t so close to the end, they would recommend I not continue on the study. Why? Because instead of my cholesterol going down, mine went up. Unlike the other participants in the study.

Now, I’m certain I know why.

I had aches in my hands and arms during that Atkins diet. I blamed it on Diet Cheerwine. But I was wrong.

I was tested by Sage Medical Labs for food sensitivities and discovered some very interesting things about myself. I have a problem with milk(and cheeses)–which I didn’t eat a whole lot of on the Atkins diet but I did eat a little as allowed by the program. And I have a problem with Chicken, Eggs and Turkey. Which I did eat as part of my Akins diet. A whole bunch of eggs as a matter of fact.

Some surprising food sensitivities that I have are: Almonds, lima beans, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, and carrots. They all seem good for you. Go figure?

Anyway, I also I have a sensitivity to wheat and gluten (which during the Atkins diet I didn’t have anyway).

Some surprising things I’m not sensitive to: Cocoa, sugar, corn and colas. I was certain I would have to give up those things. But I don’t. Yippee!

Now, I understand that to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you eat. So watching calories is still a consideration.

The purpose of this post is to propose that before you begin any weight loss program, maybe you should be tested for food sensitivities. You see, I was eating turkey instead of pork because I thought it was the healthier choice.

One thing I’m going to absolutely hate giving up  is my mother-in-law’s fried chicken. She makes the best!  How will I ever resist? (But, hey, I can have steak!)

So, I start the diet tomorrow. The first big test will be eating at my parent’s house after church. They always have ice cream.