How I relieve my symptoms when I over indulge in wheat-based foods
So, how do you know if you really pushed your limits?
Ate too much and too often, those foods that you are clearly intolerant too?
For me it’s two-fold. First, it’s the skin breakout on my jawline. They look like acne but feel like hives and it will be weeks before they heal and the redness is gone. The second, and this is more severe, my gut feels heavy, sometimes nauseous and just uncomfortable with some constipation. If this sounds familiar, here are some things I do that could help you:
Obviously, to stop eating those foods causing you distress is not just necessary but crucial.
Increase water intake to try and move out the source of your discomfort. Warm teas are great for this especially at this time of year. Peppermint, fennel, dandelion, and ginger are all good choices to help improve digestion.
Add fibre. I do this using a combination of things:
Oatmeal. I usually have this every morning for at least a week. It can really help in clear out the digestive tract, picking up anything along the way that’s the cause of your distress. It’s a great cleanup crew and can really help any constipation issues you may have.
Increase your intake of raw veggies. Cut up some carrots, celery, fennel bulb or grate a beet into your salad. Try to eat veggies that are lighter on the digestion i.e. raw broccoli can be hard for some to digest so keep it light. Think of the veggies you feed a small child that is just starting to eat solid foods. Taking any strain off the digestive tract will help it to cleanse and heal.
Add some extra fruit into your diet every day. Best choices are low glycemic fruit — we don’t want to create a new problem by adding too much sugar into your diet. Try apples, bananas or berries of all kinds.
Add ground flaxseeds to your daily routine. Add 1-2 tablespoons to 3-4 tablespoons of applesauce, add a little cinnamon. It’s like dessert. I usually have this in the evening. It’s a good snack and it can also curb your appetite if you’re an evening snacker like me.
If you want to add a supplement, NuLife has a great fiber blend that can help heal, soothe and rebuild your intestinal tract while adding in both soluble and insoluble fibers. I find this is very helpful too…I was quite surprised the first time I tried. I really felt much better once I started taking this regularly.
Regardless of the type of food that you are intolerant to, this could help. If you decide to try any or all these recommendations, just keep in mind that it will take time to clear out your system and start feeling lighter and healthier. Be patient. Don’t give in to temptation…stay the course. Also, keep track of what it is you do that does help. You might need it in the future…I know I will!
