21 Day Elimination Diet

Hi all!

I am just starting the 21 day Elimination Diet of the clean program. I am overweight and have many health issues which I think (hope?) relate to food allergies.

Has anyone done this program before? Any advice? Ideas for recipes, snacks, ect?

Looking for some motivation...

Motivation? For this? No.
You have health issues.....go chat with your doctor.

I did one in July! I found out in April that I'm sensitive to wheat, and my doctor recommended a 21-day elimination diet to test for other issues. I gave up dairy, eggs, gluten, corn, soy, and peanuts for the 3 weeks, and it actually wasn't that terrible. I read a LOT beforehand and based my cleanse off of Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Diet" and Alejandro Junger's "Clean" and "Wheat Belly" (I forget who wrote that). They all had really good ideas for dealing with cravings and had helpful recipes. I also gave up most sugar products (candy, soda, etc) but allowed myself one dark piece of chocolate a day (70% cocoa or greater). I lost about 8 lbs in the 3 weeks and learned some really good habits along the way. I did NOT give up meat....although the books recommended that. I didn't mind giving up the six potential allergens (and sugar), but I love me some bacon and venison steak:)

A big part of my cleanse was making sure I was loaded up on nutrients, so I made a green juice every morning and usually a smoothie at night. I found out I loved that, so I've continued doing it. That way I'm guaranteed to get my fruits and veggies in every day!

Turns out, I'm slightly sensitive to corn, but nothing that I can't deal with. Everything else was okay. I found it helpful to talk to my doctor beforehand and during.

Good luck!

Water!!! You need water. You're not hydrating enough. You think you are with all the drinks, but you needs to drink lots of water during the 21 days. when I did my last year, my only down fall was water, I thought I was drinking enough, I needed more than I thought.

I kind of wonder if it is a lack of sodium that is causing the headache? I drink a TON of water so I am not worried about that but I have only reached 750 sodium for the past two days according to my online tracking. I don't add salt to anything and I always buy salt-free products. Is this bad?

YES, lack of salt can mess up your electrolytes. I follow IF, and when I get a headache I need sodium. I either have some bullion (water in that) or a V-8. Not low sodium. Takes a while, but the headaches goes away.