Our Special Diet

At the beginning of September 2009, our family started on a journey that would forever change our lives.  We have always been very conscientious of our food, but the journey that we began was to a completely different level.  After much research, it was brought to my attention that many of the foods that were readily available also contained ingredients that are dangerous to our bodies.  I also learned that sometimes these poisons(aka. petroleum) when put in our bodies regularly can make our systems and body functions malfunction.  One of the main things that can happen according to research is a condition called ADHD, which is also known as Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder.  Some people believe that this condition is not a real diagnosis.  Well, I of course am not one of those people.  I have a child who suffers from this condition, which was the original reason we began a special diet, in hopes of helping my child without medicating.  I know that medication is important in many cases, but I myself believe that every condition has a reason for existing and I would rather get to the bottom of the reason and solve it that way then medicate to stop the symptoms.  I know sometimes that medication can be necessary, but that isn't always the case.

The special elimination diet that we started is through a non-profit organization called Feingold.  The purpose of the diet is to eliminate all of the artificial colors & flavors, artificial preservatives BHA, BHT, & TBHQ and an artificial sweetener(aspartame) from our food.  This is done by having specific food brands in all different categories researched and added to a food list that is available for members.  All of the foods companies and items included have agreed to fill out forms and tell Feingold what items are contained in their products.  Some of the things that are included in the food list are CF-casein free, GF-gluten free, SF-sulfite free, CS-corn syrup, MSG-mono sodium glutamate and many others.  All of these things do not have to be eliminated, but many people that belong have food allergies before they join or choose to eliminate other things.  The diet is basically an elimination diet, which starts out by eliminating the artificial additives and by also eliminating the high salicylates.  There are two different stages.  After about 6 weeks on the first stage, you slowly add back the things that you eliminated and see if there is a reaction.  To follow where we are in this process please check out my other posts titled Feingold in my personal blog.  We have been so excited at how much this diet has changed our family.  We wouldn't trade this new way of living for anything.