After almost a year of dealing with gestational issues with our kids, in February I pretty much came to my wits end in trying EVERYTHING to heal our little ones. After Miles' procedure in March I began doing research and trying to look into things that I could do once we got his results to help move forward and prevent any symptoms from continuing to occur. I REALLY, REALLY was desperate to help my kids get better!!
SOOOO... after some research, our whole family started the PALEO diet. It's known to heal the inner lining gut more then any other "diet". It's also known as the caveman diet and essentially you don't eat refined sugars, grains, or dairy. But let me say... the only way you can make it through this "lifestyle" is to look at what you CAN have versus what you CAN'T have.
In order to all of a sudden change our normal eating habits it took major planning, focus, and reorganizing the pantry. I ordered a few cookbooks, learned all the approved foods, and kept a close eye on foods to avoid! We pretty much went cold turkey starting out, but it wasn't THAT bad. The two little ones already didn't get dairy, so it was just us and Gavin that moved to Almond Milk and lost cheeses and yogurts! Giving up sweets was the HARDEST for me, but I have found many Paleo sweets and am quite content!! It was an adjustment losing the bread, pastas, and potatoes but we've found that we really like sweet potatoes and cauliflower pulsed into rice isn't THAT bad!
Basically, we eat LOTS of fruits and vegetables and all various types of proteins!
I was extremely nervous about switching the kids over, however, I'll be the first to admit... I haven't fully moved them over. The ONLY dairy they can eat is string cheese and even then they get 1 a week. They get their calcium from Almond milk. They do get some grains, but it's the "healthiest" version of it. For instance, instead of Cheetos, they get All Natural, White Cheddar Cheetos. Instead of white bread, they get Whole Grain, Whole Wheat, Sugar Free bread! I just choose healthier versions of what grains I do allow them to have as well as sweets. However, when it comes to meals I don't cook extra sides in order for them to have mashed potatoes or fries and they are learning to LOVE and even enjoy more vegetables and fruits and will eat twice as much protein now that starchy sides aren't on their plates.
We've been extremely impressed with the types of foods they have accepted and willingly eat such as: spaghetti squash, asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, even eggplant!
Now, don't get me wrong.. I'm not psycho when it comes to all foods.. we still eat Ranch, ketchup, or even coffee creamer. I just feel like the 1tbs of those foods we would consume won't hurt us that much, not to mention, I feel like we have made HUGE strides when it comes to what we have omitted, that it's okay to have a few little things here and there.
I must say... I have seen a HUGE improvement in all 5 of us! Everything from energy boosts, weight loss, digestive healing along with overall improved health. It's been awesome! Even the kids attitudes and somewhat calmness has occurred from eating good, healthy foods.
I've started branching out and cooking creatively based on foods I know we all enjoy and continue to try making good food. Paleo is hard in the sense that you can't just open up a box of something to cook- it takes planning and preparation! Everything is pretty much made from scratch and requires cooking not just heating up. It's taken a little while to adjust, but I'm getting better at it everyday! Looking forward to continuing Paleo and seeing what all it can do for us!
SOOOO... after some research, our whole family started the PALEO diet. It's known to heal the inner lining gut more then any other "diet". It's also known as the caveman diet and essentially you don't eat refined sugars, grains, or dairy. But let me say... the only way you can make it through this "lifestyle" is to look at what you CAN have versus what you CAN'T have.
In order to all of a sudden change our normal eating habits it took major planning, focus, and reorganizing the pantry. I ordered a few cookbooks, learned all the approved foods, and kept a close eye on foods to avoid! We pretty much went cold turkey starting out, but it wasn't THAT bad. The two little ones already didn't get dairy, so it was just us and Gavin that moved to Almond Milk and lost cheeses and yogurts! Giving up sweets was the HARDEST for me, but I have found many Paleo sweets and am quite content!! It was an adjustment losing the bread, pastas, and potatoes but we've found that we really like sweet potatoes and cauliflower pulsed into rice isn't THAT bad!
Basically, we eat LOTS of fruits and vegetables and all various types of proteins!
I was extremely nervous about switching the kids over, however, I'll be the first to admit... I haven't fully moved them over. The ONLY dairy they can eat is string cheese and even then they get 1 a week. They get their calcium from Almond milk. They do get some grains, but it's the "healthiest" version of it. For instance, instead of Cheetos, they get All Natural, White Cheddar Cheetos. Instead of white bread, they get Whole Grain, Whole Wheat, Sugar Free bread! I just choose healthier versions of what grains I do allow them to have as well as sweets. However, when it comes to meals I don't cook extra sides in order for them to have mashed potatoes or fries and they are learning to LOVE and even enjoy more vegetables and fruits and will eat twice as much protein now that starchy sides aren't on their plates.
We've been extremely impressed with the types of foods they have accepted and willingly eat such as: spaghetti squash, asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, even eggplant!
Now, don't get me wrong.. I'm not psycho when it comes to all foods.. we still eat Ranch, ketchup, or even coffee creamer. I just feel like the 1tbs of those foods we would consume won't hurt us that much, not to mention, I feel like we have made HUGE strides when it comes to what we have omitted, that it's okay to have a few little things here and there.
I must say... I have seen a HUGE improvement in all 5 of us! Everything from energy boosts, weight loss, digestive healing along with overall improved health. It's been awesome! Even the kids attitudes and somewhat calmness has occurred from eating good, healthy foods.
I've started branching out and cooking creatively based on foods I know we all enjoy and continue to try making good food. Paleo is hard in the sense that you can't just open up a box of something to cook- it takes planning and preparation! Everything is pretty much made from scratch and requires cooking not just heating up. It's taken a little while to adjust, but I'm getting better at it everyday! Looking forward to continuing Paleo and seeing what all it can do for us!
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