Whole 30 seems riddled with BS amid otherwise decent principles...
elleelise
Posts: 33 Member
I've been having some pretty bad food allergies (welts, hives, breakouts) for over a decade and I've finally decided to stop ignoring it and take on a Whole 30 at the advice of a nutritionist. Then I'll slowly reintroduce dairy, sugar, gluten, and grains in different stages to see what, if anything, triggers the reactions. Meanwhile I am still counting calories because that's ultimately what matters to lose weight.
It is just so appalling to read some of the BS rules that the creators of the Whole 30 have laid down as absolutes, many of which are absolutely rigid and nonsensical.
The whole "ridding the body of toxins" thing is just the start. Also, the rules about not having smoothies or not being able to make a "pancake" out of eggs and banana because it "psychologically changes the food in our minds" or avoiding dijon mustard and vanilla extract because it has wine or alcohols in it... I just can't. -_- So much ridiculousness...
I am gonna stick to meats, veggies, fruit and healthy fats for 30 days in pursuit of answers to my allergy questions, but I find the intensity from other Whole 30ers a little off-putting. I don't even want to call it a Whole 30, haha.
Am I the only one??
It is just so appalling to read some of the BS rules that the creators of the Whole 30 have laid down as absolutes, many of which are absolutely rigid and nonsensical.
The whole "ridding the body of toxins" thing is just the start. Also, the rules about not having smoothies or not being able to make a "pancake" out of eggs and banana because it "psychologically changes the food in our minds" or avoiding dijon mustard and vanilla extract because it has wine or alcohols in it... I just can't. -_- So much ridiculousness...
I am gonna stick to meats, veggies, fruit and healthy fats for 30 days in pursuit of answers to my allergy questions, but I find the intensity from other Whole 30ers a little off-putting. I don't even want to call it a Whole 30, haha.
Am I the only one??
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Replies
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Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?0 -
Cherimoose wrote: »Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?
Ha! Seriously...
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.0 -
Cherimoose wrote: »Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?
Ha! Seriously...
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
Have you been to the doctor for your hives and breakouts? If so, what have they told you? If not, I suggest you go.
Finally, why are you going to take a product (Whole 30) that you feel promotes silly stuff?0 -
As everyone else mentioned, have you been to an allergist?0
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Cherimoose wrote: »Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?
Ha! Seriously...
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
Have you been to the doctor for your hives and breakouts? If so, what have they told you? If not, I suggest you go.
Finally, why are you going to take a product (Whole 30) that you feel promotes silly stuff?
Oh, Whole30 isn't a product. It's a 30 day eating regime... I'm not following it verbatim (for instance, I don't think having a smoothie made with coconut milk and fruit is "cheating") but I am following the eating plan for the next 27 days then starting to reintroduce dairy for two weeks, and then sugars, then finally gluten.
Haven't been to an allergist. Don't have health insurance in the moment. Been to many dermatologists and while there are many great things about Western medicine, turning inward to nutrition for healing is not one of them. Been prescribed lots of antibiotics (one that even made me severely burned if I went outside in the sun for 10 minutes), in addition to washes, and weird advice like "It's all from hot tub use" when I never use a hot tub. -_-
So many skin problems are linked to nutrition. The only thing I find hard, is that Whole30 is very fat dense, so calories add up FAST, even though I am fuller longer. Lately, eating the plan unrestricted has meant going over my calories 100-200 a day, so gotta keep an eye on that.0 -
They can't fix an allergy. Are they really claiming that they can?
There is some other group that has claimed their diet can fix cancer, mental illness and thyroid issues.
These people know they are lying to you. They're trying to con you. Don't be a sucker! Do not give them your money! They don't deserve the cash! They deserve to be hauled into court or punched out.0 -
why would they prescribe antibiotics for allergies? thats not going to help. have you tried over the counter allergy products? I have allergies and while yes it could be from food,it sounds like maybe its something in your environment you are being exposed to. without seeing an allergist though its hard to tell. write down what you ate for the day and then write down if you had any hives,welts,etc. if not then its probably not that group of foods.if so take one out for awhile,if you still have it then take something else out and so on.I have one food allergy and it makes my throat swell up but I dont get the hives and so on. when I get hives and welts its usually something that came into contact with my skin(something im allergic to either inside or out). I would look up food allergies and see if you have any other symptoms.usually you will have more than one symptom(not always since everyone is different). benadryl is good for the hives and welts.0
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A lot of it is just to break the mind-food issues you may have. You can have smoothies and be on a whole30 but they recommend you eat rather than drink your calories. Not making "paleofied" versions of unhealthy food really forces you to deal with any food issues you have and breaks the sweet tooth connection to these things. I get your point about vanilla extract, but it has alcohol and usually sweetener which are both not on the plan. Maybe their use of the word "toxins" is a little strong, but sulfites, carageenan, etc. can absolutely affect your body, and it usually takes a minimum of 30 days for the effects of those additives to be gone. Plus their explanation of hormones is spot on.0
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By the way, you're not supposed to track on whole30 as part of the process. You are supposed to follow the guidelines and then listen to your body. Listening to your body is a lost art form.0
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I've been having some pretty bad food allergies (welts, hives, breakouts) for over a decade and I've finally decided to stop ignoring it and take on a Whole 30 at the advice of a nutritionist. Then I'll slowly reintroduce dairy, sugar, gluten, and grains in different stages to see what, if anything, triggers the reactions. Meanwhile I am still counting calories because that's ultimately what matters to lose weight.
It is just so appalling to read some of the BS rules that the creators of the Whole 30 have laid down as absolutes, many of which are absolutely rigid and nonsensical.
The whole "ridding the body of toxins" thing is just the start. Also, the rules about not having smoothies or not being able to make a "pancake" out of eggs and banana because it "psychologically changes the food in our minds" or avoiding dijon mustard and vanilla extract because it has wine or alcohols in it... I just can't. -_- So much ridiculousness...
I am gonna stick to meats, veggies, fruit and healthy fats for 30 days in pursuit of answers to my allergy questions, but I find the intensity from other Whole 30ers a little off-putting. I don't even want to call it a Whole 30, haha.
Am I the only one??
Welcome to the world of fad diets, being riddled with BS is the secret ingredient.0 -
Hi there,
My story is similar to yours. I have always suffered from deep cystic acne. I have seen countless doctors about it over the years and tried many medications including double doses of accutane(yikes!) About three years ago I gave up everything except my expensive skin care with anti inflammatory agents in it, became that at least helped with the pain.
Fast forward to 4.5 months ago. Doctor says "you have some minor heart issues that can be treated through diet and exercise" (yeah my doc is that amazing). Okay then, I get right on it. Whole foods almost exclusively but still allowed some treats occasionally. Sugars are at a minimum, tonnes of dairy(yum), fish everyday, no more bread, tonnes of veggies and water. I start feeling amazing, I start losing a tonne of weight, and three months in my skin is amazing. I think there is something to skin problems and diet in a lot of cases. I don't think you need to follow whole 30 to get the benefits though, because this is the first time I have heard of it.
Also, you are amazing for thinking critically. This whole30 thing sounds like its full of fake science. PM me if you like and I can go into more detail about how I cleared my skin up.0 -
1. Antibiotics do not treat allergies. Other than a few OTC topicals (ie neosporin) you need a prescription for antibiotics. I have seen a lot of crazy things, but I haven't seen abx given for hives (yet). So I suspect you meant antihistamine (ie benedryl) which is available over the counter and would make sense in this situation.
2. If you didn't mean antihistamine, that may help with symptoms.
3. If an elimination diet makes you feel better, awesome. Good luck sorting through it all. Hope you find some relief.0 -
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
There are other causes of hives & welts besides food allergies - everything from autoimmune disorders to dust mite allergies. An internist should be able to point you in the right direction. I would think you could test the food allergy theory by simply not eating for a day or 2 and see if it improves.
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Cherimoose wrote: »Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?
Ha! Seriously...
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
Have you been to the doctor for your hives and breakouts? If so, what have they told you? If not, I suggest you go.
Finally, why are you going to take a product (Whole 30) that you feel promotes silly stuff?
Oh, Whole30 isn't a product. It's a 30 day eating regime... I'm not following it verbatim (for instance, I don't think having a smoothie made with coconut milk and fruit is "cheating") but I am following the eating plan for the next 27 days then starting to reintroduce dairy for two weeks, and then sugars, then finally gluten.
Haven't been to an allergist. Don't have health insurance in the moment. Been to many dermatologists and while there are many great things about Western medicine, turning inward to nutrition for healing is not one of them. Been prescribed lots of antibiotics (one that even made me severely burned if I went outside in the sun for 10 minutes), in addition to washes, and weird advice like "It's all from hot tub use" when I never use a hot tub. -_-
So many skin problems are linked to nutrition. The only thing I find hard, is that Whole30 is very fat dense, so calories add up FAST, even though I am fuller longer. Lately, eating the plan unrestricted has meant going over my calories 100-200 a day, so gotta keep an eye on that.
Ohhhh. Thanks for the clarification. It sounds like one of those weird diets, and not an actual elimination diet used to figure out what foods you are intolerant or allergic to, if any.
Good luck with finding out what's making you break out in hives.
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Who cares what the rules are? It's an elimination diet that could help you figure out what if any dietary items cause these reactions. It's not permanent. I hope you're no longer working with the nutritionist, because to me it would make no sense to go back to them after 30 days saying the idea didn't work, when you're choosing not to follow it. Personally if I could tolerate the plan, I'd ignore all the silliness and just do it. So you can't have banana pancakes for about thirty days. Good. Cos they're gross, anyway
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Cherimoose wrote: »No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
There are other causes of hives & welts besides food allergies - everything from autoimmune disorders to dust mite allergies. An internist should be able to point you in the right direction. I would think you could test the food allergy theory by simply not eating for a day or 2 and see if it improves.
This too.
I would say to go to a new doctor. Try a local clinic.0 -
They can't fix an allergy. Are they really claiming that they can?
There is some other group that has claimed their diet can fix cancer, mental illness and thyroid issues.
These people know they are lying to you. They're trying to con you. Don't be a sucker! Do not give them your money! They don't deserve the cash! They deserve to be hauled into court or punched out.
It doesn't claim to fix allergies, it just helps to diagnose them by eliminating all major allergens at first, then reintroducing them one at a time. The idea is, you figure out what is causing the issue, then eliminate only the problem foods for good.
I almost did it, then found out my medical insurance covered blood testing to determine food allergies. I'd much rather get a needle than a month of soy free and gluten free eating.0 -
My chronic hives were caused by a severe vitamin d deficiency. It's worth having that and your B12 levels checked.0
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kellykneppergrundy wrote: »My chronic hives were caused by a severe vitamin d deficiency. It's worth having that and your B12 levels checked.
Yep, there are so many medical conditions that can show up via skin problems.0 -
Also, some fruits can be allergens.... my ex-housemate was highly allergic to strawberries for example. If you're going to try an exclusion diet, do so under doctor supervision, not under the supervision of a nutritionist you know has crazy ideas
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If the skin issue is a result of a food senistivity (versus an allergy) be aware that foods quite often need to be removed for a few months to see results. The reaction is not as fast as an IgE regulated one. Plus when you reintroduce the food, a reaction can start within minutes or up to 72 hours later.0
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Get checked out by a doctor. Food allergies are nothing to toy with. A friend of mine developed an allergy to bananas well into adulthood - found out when his throat and mouth swelled up. later turned out to have also become allergic to mangos and walnuts, which I don't think had triggered the same response as the banana. Anyway, if you are now allergic to one or more things, you don't want a surprise like that.0
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Thanks for all the feedback. What I have been suffering from, since childhood, is closest to folliculitis (basically looks like acne, but is deep and often forms into large painful welts and sometimes is clustered.) I get these on my thighs, low stomach, butt, and side.
I don't have health insurance at the moment, so seeing an allergist is out.
And I've tried a TON of solutions over the years, topical and oral. I think the problem definitely has to do with either a reaction to food I'm ingesting OR perhaps as someone mentioned, a deficiency.A lot of it is just to break the mind-food issues you may have. You can have smoothies and be on a whole30 but they recommend you eat rather than drink your calories. Not making "paleofied" versions of unhealthy food really forces you to deal with any food issues you have and breaks the sweet tooth connection to these things. I get your point about vanilla extract, but it has alcohol and usually sweetener which are both not on the plan. Maybe their use of the word "toxins" is a little strong, but sulfites, carageenan, etc. can absolutely affect your body, and it usually takes a minimum of 30 days for the effects of those additives to be gone. Plus their explanation of hormones is spot on.
My issue with the program is that having worked with an intuitive eating therapist for two years, learning to listen to my body and learning extensively about food psychology, these types of "willpower/tough love" diets don't actually break mind-food issues. In fact, I've thought more about food in the last few days than I have in over a year. Just three days has been enough to make me feel cravings and generally nutty around food. Cutting out food groups in general is not something I endorse.
For these reasons I've decided not to follow the Whole 30, but rather, begin a symptom log and hopefully find correlations over time.
By the way, you're not supposed to track on whole30 as part of the process. You are supposed to follow the guidelines and then listen to your body. Listening to your body is a lost art form.
I am aware of this. I wasn't intending to do a strict Whole30... the point of this post was to vent how some of the rules are outrageous. And as someone who worked on intuitive/mindful eating with a counselor/nutritionist for over two years, you're preaching to the choir. I've listened to my body and mind these last few days, and it definitely does NOT like the Whole30. In fact, I find it counterproductive to developing a healthy relationship with food.0 -
Have you looked up "looks like acne, but is deep and often forms into large painful welts and sometimes is clustered" and see what comes up in the search and then research it? if not its worth a try and then maybe youi can narrow it down or maybe figure out what it could be and then take that info to your Dr and go from there. sounds like it may be(im not doctor) Dermatitis Herpetiformis- look it up.the locations you mention also sounds like it could be that but, like I said Im not a dr.0
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Cherimoose wrote: »Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?
Ha! Seriously...
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
Not sure if this of any help or not but when my daughter was little she suffered badly from hives and huge welts all over her body. She is asthmatic and has various food allergies and we tried various doctors and specialists to solve the problem, all at great expense, I might add, and all totally useless.
One day, my aunt who had suffered asthma and allergies all her life told me my daughter is reacting to extremes of heat and cold. Now this was the key for us. I researched it and documented when my daughter got the hives. It has a name, some call it cold urticaria and I just can't remember the other name. Anyway, once I knew that it all fell into place. If she stood with her backside to the fire - she would come out it welts. If she overheated in bed at night, she would come out it welts. If she went in the ocean and it was too cold, she would come out it welts. She feels the cold badly but her body seems to have trouble adjusting to extremes of heat and cold - "leaky histamines" or some such thing. It was all a long time ago and I have forgotten about it until you mentioned it.
Hope this helps.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/the-best-relief-for-cold-induced-hives.aspx
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I love how everyone is dismissing this program and haven't even researched what it is, how it works, or know anything about leaky gut. This program does work, but you have to stick it out past the first 2 weeks when your gut flora are crying out for a sugar fix. I am on day 18 right now, and am seeing improvements. There is so much new data coming out about the microbiome and leaky guy and most people, including doctors, have no idea about them. Feel lucky my doctor keeps up with the scientific journals. Nutrition is at the root of most chronic diseases. Try getting 'it starts with food' from the library, and it will help it all make sense, and is backed by the medical journals.0
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Am I the only one??
Nah, it is a bit cringeworthy.
However, an elimination diet (which is what it is really) could help isolate food to which you have an intolerance and possibly aggravate / cause your symptoms.
Start with the base diet, add things in a step at a time, assess how you feel.
I did it a couple of years back and it turns out...I can eat all the foodz. Go me!
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I would honestly see how much an allergist would cost you and save up for it. If they know you don't have insurance, many doctors will work with you for payments, even if it's a small amount per month. This way, you would have a much better idea of what you need to work with going forward. It'll also be more accurate than keeping a food log since some foods you might not react to right away, and some foods it will depend on quantity. For example, I can eat tomatoes in small quantities, but if I pig out, I get hives. Having an allergy test, even if you only go there once to get the test done, will be very helpful for working with your eating habits in the future.I am aware of this. I wasn't intending to do a strict Whole30... the point of this post was to vent how some of the rules are outrageous. And as someone who worked on intuitive/mindful eating with a counselor/nutritionist for over two years, you're preaching to the choir. I've listened to my body and mind these last few days, and it definitely does NOT like the Whole30. In fact, I find it counterproductive to developing a healthy relationship with food.
You know, this sounds a lot like the Eat Right for Your Blood Type that came out years ago. My mom and I tried it and discovered it's more of a general guide to seeing how your body reacts to things rather than a strict diet. It was helpful and it was interesting that the trends it talks about for blood types was noticeable in my parents, but it's something you have to experiment with and work out what's best for you.0 -
Cherimoose wrote: »Those vanilla extract hangovers are just too much to handle.
Just curious - how do you know you have food allergies? Have you been to an allergist?
Ha! Seriously...
No, but I get huge welts, hives, breakouts all over my body. Tried treating it topically and using antibiotics. I am 99% sure it is food related.
Not sure if this of any help or not but when my daughter was little she suffered badly from hives and huge welts all over her body. She is asthmatic and has various food allergies and we tried various doctors and specialists to solve the problem, all at great expense, I might add, and all totally useless.
One day, my aunt who had suffered asthma and allergies all her life told me my daughter is reacting to extremes of heat and cold. Now this was the key for us. I researched it and documented when my daughter got the hives. It has a name, some call it cold urticaria and I just can't remember the other name. Anyway, once I knew that it all fell into place. If she stood with her backside to the fire - she would come out it welts. If she overheated in bed at night, she would come out it welts. If she went in the ocean and it was too cold, she would come out it welts. She feels the cold badly but her body seems to have trouble adjusting to extremes of heat and cold - "leaky histamines" or some such thing. It was all a long time ago and I have forgotten about it until you mentioned it.
Hope this helps.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/the-best-relief-for-cold-induced-hives.aspx
This is interesting! I've always gotten hives and welts to various things I'm allergic too (animals and mold are my huge triggers), but the worst single rash I've ever gotten was when I went out and brushed snow off my car in just a t-shirt. I thought I was going to have to go into the hospital, but as soon as I warmed up to a normal temperature, they started going away. I wonder if this is more common than people think...0 -
OP, you might find this interesting:
https://nutritionasiknowit.squarespace.com/iswf/2015/5/8/it-starts-with-food-critical-review
I looked into it at one point and rejected it for similar reasons to what you mention -- specifically, the reasoning given for banning potatoes from the plan (lots of people eat them as chips or fries, basically) didn't make any sense to me at all, as someone who prefers them (usually) roasted with a bit of olive oil and was being told they weren't acceptable in any form. I could certainly give up potatoes for 30 days, but it made me wonder why that would be beneficial to me, and I couldn't come up with an answer. And then I started being just as critical of the rest of it.
Unlike you, though, I didn't really have a reason to try out an elimination diet anyway, as I had no reason to think I have any food sensitivities to the foods at issue, and I also don't need a special diet to focus on eating vegetables or cooking at home, so those rationales didn't resonate for me either. I realized that I was being drawn to it just because it was a challenge and I wasn't so sure that actually would help my relationship with food vs. the reverse (although I figured I'd lose weight over the 30 days since I'd likely cut calories, but I can do that while tracking too, and I would want to track anyway since I'm a data nerd). Anyway, I don't see any harm in people who want to do it doing it, but so many seem to claim that we all should because we all might have hidden food sensitivities (or because they think it's a "detox") and those are bad reasons, IMO.0
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