Blackrock Wellness OUR DIFFERING DIETS
Growing up in rural Idaho, I didn’t need to worry about allergens much. I came from a family that wasn’t prone to allergies or food intolerances, and we grew all of our food ourselves. Both of those are components to avoiding allergic reactions. Our religious dietary restrictions helped us avoid carcinogens, we never ate preservatives, and it never occurred to us that celiac sprue might run in the family. When I grew older, I married a man who had genetically high cholesterol. In addition, we researched a gluten-free diet for my autistic son, during which process I discovered I was mildly celiac. I now believe that, if every human ate how he/she should, our diets would be vastly different. In America, there is a general opinion that what is offered on the supermarket shelf, in the pretty packaging, is what we should be eating. That is very wrong. Though food intolerances and allergies are widespread, many Americans do not even know they are eating foods that are harming them. In addition, many Americans make moral and/or religious decisions to avoid certain foods. Foodintol, a website dedicated to food intolerances, lists the prevalence as: 3 out of 4 people have dairy intolerance; 1 in 3 people has yeast sensitivity; 1 in 7 people has gluten sensitivity; 1 in 3 people has fructose or sugar sensitivity; and 1 in 100 people have food allergies. It is also possible to have multiple intolerances. Type I food allergies produce an immediate response, such as histamine reactions that resemble cold symptoms, or anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. Common food allergies include: dairy; wheat (and other gluten-producing grains); corn; soy; shellfish; eggs; nightshades; nuts; chocolate; caffeine; yeast, medications, sulfites, salicylates; MSG and other glutamates; xanthan and other gums; artificial food coloring and preservatives (BHA and BHT); sorbic and benzoic acid; and pesticides. 95% of people with celiac sprue are not even aware they have it, and also do not know that eliminating gluten from their diets may also alleviate symptoms related to chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, depression, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis. Gluten sensitivity is often a genetic problem, occurring more often in people who have descended from cultures dependant on other grain sources, such as corn, rice, and potatoes, and whose small intestines cannot process gluten. Unfortunately, most processed food in America contains gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and some other grains. People with celiac disease must either prepare their food themselves or buy specialty products to ensure safety. An imbalance of systemic yeast (Candida albicans) can lead to symptoms that are often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome. Though systemic yeast is naturally present in our digestive systems, the balance can be thrown off by antibiotics, impaired immune function, or food sensitivities. Yeast sensitivity can also lead to skin problems, headaches, mood swings, lethargy, and breathing difficulties. Sufferers often find relief with a yeast-free diet. Though sugar is a natural product of our bodies, too much sugar in our diets can produce an inflammatory response resembling the immune response. It can place major demands on digestive systems, interfering with absorption of crucial vitamins and minerals. Too much sugar suppresses the immune system, wreaks havoc on the metabolism, and depletes valuable neurotransmitters. This imbalance can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and loss of appetite control, and psychological effects such as confusion, forgetfulness, ADHD, and depression, have been noted. Muscle cramping, PMS, joint pain, and fatigue are more common symptoms of a sugar sensitivity that can go undiagnosed for years. There is a noticeable allergy-addiction cycle with food intolerances. Often, people feel better after eating a food which they are allergic or intolerant to, such as the energy boost gleaned from sugar. It is often said that gluten “acts like heroin” to people with autism and ADHD, complete with addictions and altered behavioral patterns. Other people eat “comfort foods” for the emotional reaction, though the ingredients in most comfort foods are listed in the above allergens. Moral/religious dietary restrictions can be very personal decisions, but regardless of the reason someone chooses to avoid specific foods, it can be difficult to eat in social settings. While vegetarianism is avoidance of all meat, veganism is avoidance of all animal-based products within both diet and the environment, including wool and honey, which arguably may not be harvested by cruel means. Raw foodism, which is not necessarily vegetarianism, is based on the premise that heating the food destroys specific nutrients. This can be split into raw vegetarianism and raw veganism. Fruitarianism is consumption of the ripe fruits of plants and trees. Within specific religions, food avoidance can be varied. In Mormonism, the Word of Wisdom advises against consumption of alcohol, coffee, black tea, excesses of meat, and any other food which negatively affects the health, and also prohibits the use of tobacco and all illegal/recreational drugs. In Judaism, a strict kosher diet includes both dietary restrictions and methods of food preparation, with special guidelines during religious holidays like Passover. Halal, in Islam, is similar to kosher, with special attention paid to forbidden (haraam) substances like pork and gelatin, blood, and intoxicants like alcohol. Though many Hindus, particularly Brahmins, are vegetarians, it is a particular sin in the Hindu religion to kill a cow or eat its flesh; however, consumption of cow’s milk is generally not taboo. In Catholicism, meat is prohibited during the Fridays of Lent. As Buddhist theory tends to equate the killing of animals with the killing of people, many Buddhists are vegetarians. Ital, the dietary movement of Rasta, encourages pure food from the earth, prohibits pork, and avoids some shellfish, while some Rastas avoid red meat or all meat. Specific vegetables are forbidden within specific religions, such as garlic and onions in certain sects of Buddhism and Hinduism, and lettuce and butter beans in Yazidism. Alcohol is avoided by a number of faiths around the world. Do you have food intolerances or a specific dietary choice? Possible Symptoms of Food Allergies or Intolerances How might an elimination diet help with your chronic condition? Do you want to go gluten-free but are on a budget? Resources for dietary differences in the Reno/Sparks area Online resources for dietary differences Are we lacking? Is there a specific need that you would like to see highlighted on this page? Contact Us