So you've wisely committed to changing your diet and lifestyle in order to put the odds in your favor to stop or slow down the autoimmune process that is plaguing you. You deserve credit for adopting health supporting dietary changes! Few people put in the effort that can pay off handsomely with great dividends. Sometimes you run out of creative ideas for delicious food to eat, especially ones that are easy to eat on the go, or that your children will like.
Well, search no further. Thanks to the ever-expanding selection of GF, CF and SF products available, all you have to do is think creatively. That's what one of my wonderful, dedicated patients does. Sandy Pepliski has generously shared some great recipes and you can receive them FREE of charge, by clicking on the big orange button below!
Recently, I cycled 175 miles for the 2012 Great Lakes West Michigan Breakaway Bike MS Ride. In fact, this was my 16th yearly ride and I am already signed up for 2013! If you would like to become part of our team, just let me know. Why am I mentioning the Bike MS ride?...you will see why as you keep reading...it's about staying on your health supporting diet...
Many people who are eating gluten free (GF), casein free (CF) and soy free (SF), sometimes feel that their only choice at times is to cheat on their diet, especially in social or organized exercise situations. Cheating is a very bad idea and I had to encourage another one of my fellow GF riders to follow my lead in how to nix the tempatation to cheat.
One challenge I always have on this ride is figuring out what I am going to eat due to the gluten, casein or soy ingredients contained in many of the food and snacks provided to riders. I've learned many years ago that I can bring items to eat in order to stick to my health supporting diet. I don't want to provoke the tendency of my immune system towards autoimmune illness like exists in my family history.
While riding long distances (or any other sporting challenge), using "energy bars" for a portable food source is popular. The problem is most of them contain gluten, soy and/or dairy. I have found a solution...LÄRABAR. This company makes bars mainly from raw nuts, and fruit - some have chocolate in them as well. They state on their website: "At LÄRABAR, we believe that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat. And what you eat is most delicious and satisfying when it's in a whole, natural state." Now that's a philosophy I can live with and in fact, promote.
They have so many flavors to choose from, you'd be hard pressed not to find any you enjoy. My favorite so far is Cherry Pie. "Tart and tasty, chewy, but not ooey or gooey, our Cherry Pie contains 1 full serving of fruit, 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The simple, 3-ingredient mix of unsweetened cherries, dates and almonds, packs a big flavor with a dollop of fun."
Another popular strategy to gain the energy needed to keep your body moving when it is crying for
fuel, is to use carbohydrate gels or shots. Most of the products manufactured, in my opinion, have a bunch of lousy ingredients with artificial coloring, and of course, gluten, dairy and/or soy. A novel and extremely effective solution to this challenge comes from the CliffBar company; CLIF SHOT BLOKS®. "CLIF SHOT BLOKS Energy Chews are semi-solid, easy-to-chew sources of carbohydrates—your body's preferred source of fuel during activity – and electrolytes." Although they cannot state their product is gluten free, soy free or casein free due to possible cross contamination, my personal use of the product and knowing how my body reacts when I come in contact with these ingredients, indicates they are just fine. I like that Clif Shot Blocks have 95% organic ingredients: "3 CLIF SHOT BLOKS also provide 100 calories, so it’s simple to keep track of calorie intake during long outings. In addition, CLIF SHOT BLOKS are made with organic brown rice syrup, a minimally refined source of carbohydrate with naturally occurring sodium, potassium and magnesium. We do not use high fructose corn syrup."
Duing the Bike MS event, we are provided with breakfast and dinner at Hope College in the dining hall. There I can easily select foods that meet my special health supporting diet, free of obvious gluten, dairy and/or soy. Of course any time I eat outside my home, I take 4 enzyme capsules that break down any inadvertant gluten, dairy and/ or soy. I have 3 personal favorite enzyme products that meet this need: GlutenFlam®(K-52) from Apex Energetics, ZGlutn® from Systemic Formulas, or Similase® GFCF from Integrative Therapeutics. All these products are available from my office dispensary.
Lunch during Bike MS is whole different story given the food choices available. Typically the main course is a submarine sandwich. I could just take the meat off the bun and eat that with the accompaniments of chopped onions, tomatoes and lettuce, but I prefer a healthier option. Most cold cuts contain gluten, dairy or soy, in addition to many undesirable preservatives. I like fish, so I bring along Wild Herring Fillets Seasoned with Cracked Pepper from Bar Harbor Premium Wild-Caught Fish. Check out this small list of ingredients: "Wild Caught Sustainable Harvested Naturally Wood Smoked Herring Fillets, Cracked Pepper, Salt."
I just place the can of fish in my back center cycling jersey pocket wrapped in a lightweight cloth (to avoid the cans edges from irritating my back). When I get to the lunch stop, I simply get in the lunch line, obtain my paper plate, ask for a fork, and a generous serving of chopped onions, tomatoes, lettuce and mustard for my plate. I then discreetly head over to a trash can and open the can of fish, drain the water and place the delectible contents on my plate. Once I mix the fish and the accompaniments, I have a gourmet lunch! Awesome!!!
With just a bit of planning and shopping prior to your sporting event, you can still stay on your health supporting diet and have great energy for your sporting endeavor. That's "having one's cake and eating it too!"
If you found value in this article, please use the social sharing icons at the top of this post and please share with those you know who are still suffering with chronic condition symptoms despite having medical managment. Thank you, help me reach more people so they may regain their zest for living!
