Our Feingold Experience

I've been getting lots of questions about the Feingold diet that we've started, so I thought I'd post our experience thus far. In truth, we are doing a modified version because the full-fledged diet doesn't fit for us.

Basically the premise is removing all preservatives, additives, and junk from your foods. For us, the program was well worth the money, even if we don't follow it to a T. By making specific brand choices, we've replaced MANY of our food items with healthier options. I'm pleased with that. I find myself not using processed foods.

It's been very eye-opening. Even some foods that you would think would be ok are only ok with specific brands. As I did my research, I was amazed at the additives many brands put into their foods. Yuck!

I've also returned to the way of our moms and grandmas for some things. For example, I'm making my own chocolate syrup for our son's hot chocolate. It's easy as pie, takes less than 5 min to make, lasts for a week, and has NO unnatural items in it. I feel GREAT about that.

It WAS (and still is) an adjustment for our son, who mourned the loss of his Chef Boyardee. It was (and still is) an adjustment for me as I hunted for the specific brands the first time in the store.

Will this plan "cure" his ADHD and/or sensory integration issues? I highly doubt it. Is this plan, however much healthier for the ENTIRE family. Absolutely!

Dazed & Confused in the Grocery Store

So, I ventured into the grocery store this weekend on a mission. Armed with my Feingold book, I planned to spend some time going up and down the aisles to find what is acceptable. Two hours later, I was in a daze in aisle 10, shaking my head, and wondering who's idea it was to try this thing. Perhaps a crowded, Sunday afternoon was not the best time to shop.

I literally stood in each aisle looking at my book, looking at the foods, looking at my book, highlighting the items that I found to make next time easier. I should have packed snacks and my iPod to sustain me. ;-)

I can say this...I ended up with almost everything I needed. The cart was full...and full of preservative-free foods. I bought lots of stuff so my son wouldn't feel like he was being deprived: chocolate pudding, ice cream, White Cheetos, Pringles, pretzels. Yep, we can still eat the stuff...the only difference is that I chose brands that don't put "crap" in their products.

I can say this...it wasn't much more expensive than what I usually spend...maybe $30. I was shocked. I really expected it to be more than that.

My next venture is to our Whole Foods Market to find the items that I couldn't get: bread, jelly, toothpaste. It may take me a few days to gather my strength to tackle that one.