Cutting out milk and wheat/most grains. Anyone else?

Seajolly
Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
edited November 17 in Food and Nutrition
I am starting over on my weight loss journey and I need some rules in place to give myself a good jump start on this, so I am cutting out milk and most dairy (having occasional cheese and ghee butter), all wheat and most grains. Also cutting out the processed foods as much as possible. This is not just for weight loss but also for my gut health as I've been having some issues I can contribute to having too much dairy and wheat in my diet and not enough fiber. Anyone else following a similar diet?

Replies

  • amorfati601070
    amorfati601070 Posts: 2,890 Member
    edited April 2017
    Cutting out dairy will probably help. 75% of the adult population in the world is actually lactose intolerant to some degree. We lose the enzyme (lactase) to digest milk as we age...adults aren't really meant to drink it from a strict biological view. I can drink milk fine (I have Northern European heritage) but I choose not too. Bread and grains probably won't make much difference unless you have sensitivity or autoimmune disease (coeliac). Bread usually does have heaps of calories though so it makes weight loss easier. Whole grains are a great source of nutrients, I personally wouldn't cut them out if they do any harm.

  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Look into getting probiotics. You can pop pills, eat yogurt, ferment kefir, brew kombucha, or ferment vegetables to get probiotics. Gut health is super important. Probiotics are super duper for gut health.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited April 2017
    Simple is not the same as easy. Consider whether cutting out will make you miss it and eating more complicated, and the rebound effect of missing something and the constant extra work of finding things you "can" eat and avoiding things you "can't" eat.

    To answer your question - no, not me - I have been following a non-restrictive diet, and have had success sticking to it while losing, and for the first time in my life, maintaining a healthy, normal weight; at this point for 2 1/2 years.
  • crazyycatlady1
    crazyycatlady1 Posts: 292 Member
    edited April 2017
    I'm actually incorporating more whole grains into my diet because of the health benefits (I've been doing a lot of reading on blue zones/whole foods, plant based diets lately). However, I have a lactose intolerant kid and you can buy over the counter lactaid pills if you need help digesting dairy. Also, while she cannot handle milk even with a lactaid pill, she can eat most cheeses without needing to take anything, due to the way they're processed. Same with yogurt. You might just want to experiment the dairy and see if certain things trigger your stomach issues vs others that don't.
  • extra_medium
    extra_medium Posts: 1,525 Member
    For weight loss the only rule you need to follow is to consume fewer calories than you burn. Before you start cutting out food groups, it would be a good idea to consult with a doctor to see if that's actually what's causing your issues. You'd want to know if it's something more serious, and you wouldn't want to eliminate food you enjoy if you don't have to.
  • crazyycatlady1
    crazyycatlady1 Posts: 292 Member
    edited April 2017
    amorfati601070 wrote: »
    Cutting out dairy will probably help. 75% of the adult population in the world is actually lactose intolerant to some degree. We lose the enzyme (lactase) to digest milk as we age...adults aren't really meant to drink it from a strict biological view. I can drink milk fine (I have Northern European heritage) but I choose not too. Bread and grains probably won't make much difference unless you have sensitivity or autoimmune disease (coeliac). Bread usually does have heaps of calories though so it makes weight loss easier. Whole grains are a great source of nutrients, I personally wouldn't cut them out if they do any harm.

    If you have an Aldi nearby they have an amazing 7 grains, sprouted bread ($2.99 loaf), and 2 slices are 120 calories total! It has such a good flavor and I toast 2 slices every morning and then top with a fried egg and a triangle of light cheese spread. It's my go-to breakfast right now and it keeps me full for hours, for around 200 calories :)
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    extra_medium wrote: »
    For weight loss the only rule you need to follow is to consume fewer calories than you burn. Before you start cutting out food groups, it would be a good idea to consult with a doctor to see if that's actually what's causing your issues. You'd want to know if it's something more serious, and you wouldn't want to eliminate food you enjoy if you don't have to.

    So much this!!! Never self diagnose. Doctors have years of schooling and experience, we don't.

    It is not necessary to cut foods out, but if you suspect sensitivities, you need to see a doctor to get tested and not cut these food items out until you get the all clear from your doctor.
  • crazyycatlady1
    crazyycatlady1 Posts: 292 Member
    edited April 2017
    cerise_noir wrote: »
    extra_medium wrote: »
    For weight loss the only rule you need to follow is to consume fewer calories than you burn. Before you start cutting out food groups, it would be a good idea to consult with a doctor to see if that's actually what's causing your issues. You'd want to know if it's something more serious, and you wouldn't want to eliminate food you enjoy if you don't have to.

    So much this!!! Never self diagnose. Doctors have years of schooling and experience, we don't.

    It is not necessary to cut foods out, but if you suspect sensitivities, you need to see a doctor to get tested and not cut these food items out until you get the all clear from your doctor.

    Agree. I have a relative who self-diagnosed herself for years (she thought for sure she was sensitive to gluten)-come to find out she has full blown allergies to all sorts of things including broccoli, tomatoes, eggs, shellfish, dairy etc. Op, if you think you have actual food sensitivities then you really should start with your doctor, who can refer you to a specialist.
  • robindina
    robindina Posts: 157 Member
    We are going through this is in our house....Hubby trying to fix gut issues....the Doctor put him on the lowfod map diet for the next 6 weeks to rule things out, After the 6 weeks we will be introducing the items back in one at a time to see what triggers the gut problem. Ask your Dr about the diet and see if they rec it for you. Good luck
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    Hm. My kids both had allergy testing but I've experimented with one food at a time (finally getting allergy testing later this week) to see if I noticed anything. At one point (following guidelines from an MS book I was reading), I cut out wheat and dairy for 6 weeks and really didn't notice anything in terms of weight loss or any other changes. When I went LCHF, I did cut out grains among other things and noticed that my joint pain and acid reflux both cleared up, among other things. One of these days I'll try reintroducing things to see if I can figure it out. But I'm also glad I'm finally getting allergy testing done. (It may be a sensitivity more than an allergy though. One of my kids had negative results for several foods but consistently reacted to them. There can be false positives or negatives, too, so I think doing your own experimenting has its place along with talking to a doctor.)
  • PatanjaliTwist
    PatanjaliTwist Posts: 485 Member
    edited April 2017
    Several things I wanted to comment on. Firstly, yes, I am following a similar diet & it's going well. Lost 8-lbs in 2-wks, am not bloated anymore & the only side effect is feeling a bit lethargic, but that happens when I cut down on calories. As a disclaimer, I have so many food & drug allergies (& even fabrics, animals, chemicals, plants, smoke, pollen, beauty products... oh, for goodness sake), that I've spent a lifetime testing & eliminating "things" from my diet & home & making a lot of my own foods, toiletries & even makeup. You may not be as sensitive as I... just wanted to put that out there that I'm extra careful, so you may not need to be as vigilant.

    A modified Dukan Diet is what I'm following to quickly lose weight... I've done it once before & lost 20-lbs in 10-wks, both times now after foot surgery & the subsequent inactivity, which is what caused the weight gain. It's mostly animal protein foods (most I can't have as I'm allergic to all dairy & now I found out, eggs), so it's basically meat (beef, poultry, fish) one day & a limitless amount of non-starchy veggies with protein on alternate days. It doesn't feel strict, but if it is to others, that's just the phase you're on until you reach your goal weight. Then you follow the same basic rules, but add in 1 piece of fruit, 2 slices of bread, any & all veggies, daily & 2 desserts & 2 anything meals/wk, for a few wks-mos... the formula is 1-wk for each lb lost. Last phase is eating whatever you like (of course, reasonable portions) & 1 day/wk forever eating only protein. My modification is I add in 1 piece of fruit as that tends to be the bulk of my diet normally & I don't want to get ill. I also calorie count, as it seems to be working faster... my limit here is 1,200/day. I add in vitamins, which I normally don't take as I don't feel I need them, but since I'm eliminating carbs & fruits for a few months, I feel it's an insurance policy.

    On feeling symptoms... bloating, gastrointestinal distress or rashes... the latter, which is my problem with foods... it can be true allergies, sensitivity or aging, a new find for me. There are certain substances (I'm not in the medical field, so don't want to use the wrong words... hormones, amino acids?) our body no longer manufactures to break down other substances... like the above example of babies only needing milk, so most of us become lactose intolerant as we no longer create the substance needed to break it down after 5. This is why people in their 40s or 50s suddenly have indigestion when eating foods they've always eaten before, as each decade we can add to the list when our bodies change. Instead of taking drugs, they can take the amino acid needed to break down the food, or just avoid it. For me, if I take Lactaid products, it doesn't matter, I still get a nasty red rash that doesn't go away for weeks. I don't like yogurt, cheese or lattes that much, so I just do without.

    Also, probiotics don't seem to help me. I've been told they're an aide in weight loss, but my body seems to reject them. Re: PB pills, no matter the brand or cost or time I use them, they make me feel awful. Why? Don't know, but the frustrating part of all this is we all differ & respond differently to different things, so I'm afraid it's always a trail & error situation. And, I used to eat sauerkraut, even though I don't like it, but when I stopped, all the stomach bloating & gastrointestinal distress disappeared in 1-2 days. I tested it several times, with same results. Without, I don't have stomach issues.

    For another post & on another note, I just found out about the blood type diet & have a rare type (B-), which lists very few foods I can have. Interestingly, ALL the foods I dislike, like broccoli, mushrooms & cabbage are listed as foods to avoid... our bodies just seem to intuit what we don't need. Some of the foods I like are listed there too, like nightshades & wheat, but as I age, I want to feel better, so I'm comfortable choosing differently. Burping all day with an itchy, rashed face aren't my ideas of desirable dinner company. :blush:

    I do agree with everyone here. I'd like to have allergy & scratch tests done again... last time was 30-yrs ago & the tests weren't as specific then. I was just told to avoid trees. Which, I asked? All, he said. Haha. Okay, doc, thanks. I'll hide in a cave from here on in. Now they can ferret out species. But, since I'm looking for work, I will do so when I have insurance. If I knew anyone with allergies, particularly foods, I'd suggest the same. I was eating eggs for years, not knowing I was allergic... I kept searching my foods for the day looking for a common ingredient. Never hit me it was the egg itself, until I had to go without them for 2-mos on the road & voila... the dang egg. Same with coffee, which I now drink black. For decades, I thought I was super caffeine or java bean sensitive... nope, it was the 2T cream that went in the cup each morning that made me forever 20-min late to work as I had to hover around the bathroom 'til my stomach spasms stopped.

    In any event, I have temporarily cut out all grains, sugar, dairy... only the former I miss... I don't care for sugar or dairy so don't miss either. Also avoid processed foods, canned & frozen, but I never ate them anyway as the nutrition level is so low & the nitrite / sulfite additives are gruesome.

    If you are interested in Dukan, there are many websites now where people have copied & listed the foods allowed on each phase (4 all together) & the book is now available in English. When I got it years ago, only French was available & I had to order it from a UK site for triple the price. I'd also be happy to answer any q's. Good luck & I hope you find a workable long term solution!
  • dotski2015
    dotski2015 Posts: 3 Member
    You're basically describing a paleo-style diet, which I now follow, although I took an indirect path. I've been dealing with IBS for about 5 years and after figuring fiber, last summer I first eliminated dairy. It didn't do much for my GI issues, but my acne started to clear up within a week and it's been 90% consistently clear ever since. A couple months later I eliminated gluten. Within 3 days I had noticeable improvement with my IBS. Within a week, I had a noticeable lifting of the brain fog/grain brain syndrome (which I didn't know I had, I just thought I was getting older;). Also my skin continued to improve. The eczema-like sensitivity and irritation went away and began to look and feel hydrated, supple and glowy:)). Earlier this year, I took the remaining grains out of my diet bc I noticed they triggered IBS episodes. Like a lot of other MFPers, I do a lot of food prep so I'll easily eat the same meal 2-3x in a row. Recently I discovered I can't tolerate buckwheat:((. So the word of advice here is to eliminate dairy, gluten and grains individually over time so first to you can see how each food group really affects your body and secondly, you can find substitutes and adapt your diet, esp on the go and if your watching your macros for weight loss.
  • MaryIM
    MaryIM Posts: 159 Member
    Seajolly wrote: »
    I am starting over on my weight loss journey and I need some rules in place to give myself a good jump start on this, so I am cutting out milk and most dairy (having occasional cheese and ghee butter), all wheat and most grains. Also cutting out the processed foods as much as possible. This is not just for weight loss but also for my gut health as I've been having some issues I can contribute to having too much dairy and wheat in my diet and not enough fiber. Anyone else following a similar diet?

    Yup, I'm following a similar food plan; am being monitored by a nutritionist. I think what's key is to eliminate the processed foods! Veggies, fish, fowl, and fruits are your friends!
  • tasha_998
    tasha_998 Posts: 12 Member
    I did the Whole 30 diet 2 times last year (for a month each time). I thought it was great, but found I'm okay with legumes so if I ever do it again, I'll leave them in.

    I follow a mostly paleo diet now, omitting grains, fried potatoes, and milk. I still eat some hard cheeses. I find it's much easier to follow than calorie counting, and it turns off my need to eat constantly. I don't stick to the plan for special occasions or when company is over for dinner (making a German chocolate cake next week for my partner's birthday). :) But I follow it 90% of the time and it seems to help, both with gut issues and my weight.
  • SaraMA1
    SaraMA1 Posts: 410 Member
    Yes I am following a similar way of eating mainly to kick my sugar habit and get back on the right path of healthy eating.

    I am on day 20 and have cut the following from my diet and feel amazing;

    Dairy
    Caffeine
    Gluten
    Wheat
    Fruits except berries and green apples, limes and lemons
    Shell Fish
    Red meat (I allow myself one red meat item a week if I want)
    Peanuts/peanut butter
    Soy
    Sugar,honey, maple syrup
    Pork
    White Potatoes
    Corn
    Nitrates
    MSG
    Vinegar
  • ghudson92
    ghudson92 Posts: 2,061 Member
    Hey there :-) I am about to embark on a similar process, although I am just cutting down on grains as opposed to eliminating them. The reason for cutting out dairy for now is that my doc has a suspicion that milk is irritating my already irritated and broken sinuses (I literally have to cough up phlegm as soon as I have milk or cheese, gross I know). I cut right back on it for a few weeks and I'm feeling better so am going to try life sans milk and milk products as a kind of sinus experiment.

    Good luck with your diet, I'm interested to know if it helps you in any way!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories