Recently I purchased and read the "Wheat Belly" book by Dr. William Davis. My reason for doing so was because what I read about the book seemed to address many of the afflictions I felt from my poor eating habits. Notice I said "habits" and not "choices". While at times I make poor food choices for the most part I have been feeding myself and my family what I thought was a very healthy diet---whole foods, very little processed foods if any, privately raised beef, pork, and chicken, fruits, vegetables and lots of whole grain replacements for highly processed flour products. What I ate seemed relatively good but my portions and eating patterns grow out of control based on any number of external influences. Anyway, I did know I needed to eat less and move more. I didn't know my food choices had such a dramatic effect on my body until I started making changes. I'm not going to address the science behind Dr. Davis' findings or any possible commercial motives. I don't really care about those things. All I care about is whether or not this might make some difference in my battles keeping food in it's place along with putting God back in His rightful place as No. 1 in my life for all things at all times ("Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."~Philippians 4:6)This is how I started:
- I prayed like crazy and asked lots of other people to pray for me. This is simple but not easy and I knew I would need all the prayers I could get!
- I purged our home of All Things Wheat to the best of my knowledge (and that continues to grow!)
- I removed any other grain flours and products and rice and replaced then with foods with lower Glycemic Index values since I've been concerned about the threat of diabetes.
- I stocked up on more vegetables, some fruits, and low GI sweeteners---like Blue Agave Syrup vs. Maple Syrup or Honey.
- I plan meals so I have the necessary ingredients, remember to allow time to thaw the meat, and provide a variety of tasty meals for me and my family.
- Within 3 days I had NO heartburn, the edema in my legs and feet was virtually gone, my energy and clarity increased and I wasn't nodding off every time I sat down.
- By the end of the first week I noticed my skin condition was noticeably improved--skin eruptions were nearly gone and healing, itchiness was gone--, I no longer had a "coating" in my mouth when I woke up and I was sleeping (finally!!) for longer periods at night up to four or five hours from the previous 2-3 hours maximum before, a complete absence of stomach discomfort and pain, the joint discomfort that had been growing was gone,and I lost 4 lbs. without exercising.
- By the end of the second week I noticed continued increase in energy and improved sleeping, my eyebrows started growing back, my hair got darker (my hairdresser noticed and commented before she knew I had made some dietary changes), I started walking because I could bend over to get my socks on and tie my shoes without hurting myself and I lost close to 7 lbs.
