Take Everything But the Ketchup: What I've Learned From My Elimination Diet [So Far]

I've gotten a lot of questions about my new, [hopefully] temporary elimination diet. So today, I wanted to give you a little update on how things are going.

As a reminder, here's the sitch: in an effort to quell some super intense jaw pain that I've been having, I have given up dairy, wheat, and all added-sugar for 6-weeks (per my doctor).

I'm 2 weeks and 4 days in (but who's counting?) and despite having a dream about eating NY Pizza last night, it's actually going really well. No, I haven't seen much improvement in my jaw pain--there have been glimmers (!)--but removing these food groups has been easier than I thought it would be. 

So, here are some of the things that I've learned/observations made over the past 2 weeks of eating much cleaner:

1. I'll give up anything EXCEPT Ketchup. Don't touch my ketchup.
I know it has added sugar and I know it has a lot. I'm sure you can buy ketchup without sugar, or make your own, or do whatever healthy alternative you'd prefer (I'm sure there are many!), but I just can't do it. My doctor said "Don't be crazy about this diet or cause yourself too much stress over it, because that will negate the effects," and I've decided that giving up ketchup would be my rock bottom, so I'm not going there. Ketchup is my jam (er, condiment?). Judge all you want. 

2. Burrito bowls = the perfect meal. 
As you probably already know, Ben and I eat burritos at least twice per week, every week. We adore them. Although it was sad to give up my whole wheat wrap, I have to say that I still love burrito bowls (hold the cheese) and they're just as delicious with a side of gluten-free tortilla chips. Filling, delicious, and guacamole. Thank you, burritos. 

3. I really love cheese. 
Of all the things I thought I would miss--Desserts! Whole wheat bagels! Milk in my tea!--I'm most surprised by how much I miss cheese. I guess I ate more than I realized...but maybe that's because cheese is SO good?!? And how could something so good be causing my jaw pain? Still waiting on the answer to that question.

4. It's easy to eat a clean diet when you're a hermit. 
Over the past two weeks, I've had my head down and have been working nonstop. I come up for meals, for the occasional yoga class, workout, or walk with Sayde, and once or twice I came up for a quick trip to the beach with Ben, but otherwise, I've mostly been working. I haven't been very social, haven't eaten out (besides picking up to-go burrito bowls), and haven't attended many events, so eating clean has been pretty easy to control. Lets see how I fare when I'm out in the real world this weekend...

3. TGFQ (Thank God for Quinoa). 
I've basically had a different quinoa salad for lunch every single day for the past 2 weeks. It's been a huge help. Did you know that quinoa is a perfect protein? Sign me up. Every day. Forever. 

6. These are the best homemade popsicle molds that $ can buy. 
Plus, they come with this little recipe book that tells you how to make creative homemade pops out of fruit. We've been LOVING these pops! 

7. Protein Bites/No-Bake Energy Bites have never tasted so good.
I've mentioned these little guys before, but I feel like I need to give them another shout-out since they've been my savior over the past week or so. I tweaked the recipe a bit for my dietary needs, but they're still as good as ever. The recipe is here. Make them--you won't be sorry (and if I can do it, anyone can!). 

8. I do feel better (!). 
Not in the way I'm hoping (yet)--as my jaw/shoulder/neck pain is still going strong--but I have less belly aches, less bloating (sorry, but true!), less low-blood sugar-y feelings, less headaches, and I feel a bit more energized. All good things! But worth giving up pizza for? They jury is still out on that one ;)

9. There is added sugar in EVERYTHING. I mean, EVERYTHING.
I already knew this, but now I'm experiencing it firsthand because I'm actually looking at the ingredients (being in denial was so easy!). On Sunday, Ben and I spent 10 minutes in the grocery story trying to find a pasta sauce with no added sugar. The same goes for chips, milk alternatives, juices, and dried fruits. It's scary and frustrating and what's wrong with our country. 

10. There are TONS of resources out there, and they're great. 
The internet really does make eating this way easier, and if I *had* to do it forever, I think I could. I would just have to take some cooking lessons. Thank you so much to all of you who have sent me recs and links and ideas--it's super helpful and I hope to actually try some of these recipes soon (life has been to crazy to event attempt cooking something "new" right now). 

For those of you out there who already eat like this (I know who some of you are)--kudos! I'm crazy impressed by your ability to eat this way and live life and work and make food for your family and go to restaurants and do everything else that you do. 

I'll keep you posted on how things continue to unfold, but in the meantime, three cheers for Ketchup!