I went on this diet for 3 months. I’ll let you know right up front that it’s harsh, but it helped me feel better than I had felt in a long, long time. The diet is designed to help your body heal quicker, and I highly recommend it. You’ll definitely notice that the inflammation in your body goes down, and your aches and pains will subside as you reduce the inflammation.
This diet was written by Theresa Ramsey, N.M.D. Half-way through the diet my doctor had me add eggs back in to my diet. She wanted me to have a protein for breakfast. I personally had no problems with eggs. Many people with a a gluten intolerance also discover they have allergies to casein (the protein in cow’s milk) and also possibly eggs. I am able to tolerate eggs, but I have found that I can only tolerate cow’s milk in very small quantities.
Steamed Vegetables
- Steaming improves nutrient utilization and availability of food substances and reduces residue in the gut, thus allowing the GI mucosa to restore itself.
- Eat a variety of all vegetables EXCEPT tomatoes, white potatoes, green peppers and corn. Use your favorite spices creatively to enhance taste. Each of the vegetables listed interferes with the healing process in one way or another and should be avoided throughout the anti-inflammatory diet.
Grains
- 1-2 cups daily of the following grains only: millet, basmati rice, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, teff.
Legumes
- Split peas, lentils, kidney beans, pinto beans, soy beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans, aduki and adzuki beans
Fish
- Deep-sea and cold water fish that is poached, baked, steamed or broiled is encouraged. Avoid shellfish.
Chicken/Turkey
- Only white meat and no skin.
- Free range, organically grown, baked, broiled or steamed.
Fruit
- 1-2 pieces per day maximum – no citrus fruits.
Sweeteners
- Stevia is best
- Maple syrup, rice syrup, and honey are acceptable in very small quantities. ABSOLUTELY NO white sugar, nutrasweet, aspartame or Splenda (sucralose).
Butter
- It’s OK to use organic butter as a condiment, preferably ghee if you have access to it.
- If necessary, make your own butter by mixing organic butter with olive oil and/or flax oil. Whip together and refrigerate. This gives added nutrition and minimizes dairy exposure.
- Avoid all hydrogenated “butter” (all margarine).
Herbal teas and cranberry water (4 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice into 28 ounces of water with 12-15 drops of stevia if you desire) are the only beverages to drink in addition to water.
Use dry spices creatively and abundantly!
In summary – The following foods need to be avoided while on this diet:
- Dairy products: milk, cheese
- Eggs
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Peanuts
- Caffeinated coffee/tea
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Pork
- Red meat
- Fried foods
- Processed foods
- Sugar, aspartame, Splenda (sucralose), nutra-sweet, saccharine
