I can hardly believe that a year has past since we began the Feingold Program to help my DS with some ADHD/ emotional issues. I won't go into detail about the program as I have answered many of those questions in other blogs, but will give an update on how things are going. I have learned so much about what is in our food and how it can effect our bodies. I can say that after one year, our family is healthier and happier! Most of you know that another huge change was taking my DS (now 7 y.o) out of public school to homeschool this year. When I began this program a year ago and read some blogs my other moms who followed it, I came across one entitled, "Accidentally Homeschooling." It honestly scared me. I thought, "Oh, I hope that isn't going to be me." Since this is not a blog about homeschooling, I won't go into details about how my heart changed in that area, but will say that in life, you should never say never! That and following the Feingold program have been the best decisions, we have made as parents so far. God lead us every step of the way in each decision. How did I know about the Feingold program? God's guidance. Why this and not just an additive free diet? God knew my son's body (after all He created it!) and that he needed a low-salicylate diet in addition to removing food additives. Thank you for reading and following me on this journey. It has been a challenge to keep up with the blog now that I am homeschooling, but I didn't want to leave you hanging, so I will answer some FAQ.
1. Is this something that only certain people are sensitive to or can everyone benefit from the Program?
I believe everyone can benefit from Stage 2 of the plan which eliminates artificial food dyes, artificial sweetners, artificial preservatives and artificial flavors from their diets. I have tried to eliminate most of these things for the whole family and overall, we have been much healthier (fewer visits to the doctor, improved moods,fewer digestive issues, and I can atest to having more energy...just to name a few). Something that is unique about the Feingold program is that in Stage One, you eliminate salicylates. Only certain people are sensitive to naturally occuring salicylates(such as apples, berries, tomatoes, mint, tea) and those symptoms can be anything from depression to vertigo and possibly fibromyalgia. Some are actually allergic to these, but usually it is just a sensitivity. For example, peanuts are not bad for you unless you are allergic to peanuts. Some people are not allergic to caffeine, but their bodies react negaitivly to having it.
2. Do you eat only organic foods?
No, I would go broke. I end up buying a lot of organic foods because many of those brands do not have additives. I do not necessarily buy organic fruits and vegetables. I look for labels like "All Natural,"" No Preservatives" or Additive Free."
3. What is the easiest thing to eliminate on the Plan?
Petrolium based food dyes (that's right, they are made from coal tar...yum!). They are in everything from lolipops to cocktail sauce and children's ibuprophen, but there are so many alternatives that it is usually easy to find a substitute. Companies are beginning to catch on to the consumer's desire to not have these in their products. And it is easy to see if it is in a product. If it has any color listed with a number behind it (Red 40, Yellow 5, etc.) It does not go in my cart.
4. What has been the hardest thing to eliminate? That's tricky. The preservative TBHQ is difficult because it is mainly found in pan sprays or shortening and since it is not an ingredient in the final product, but rather used in production, it does not have to be listed on the packaging. Goldfish cracker, for instance, are baked on sheets using TBHQ so it does get on the goldfish but is not listed on the packaging. It is for this reason that I bake my own bread or buy from Trader Joe's.
The natually ocurring salicylates has also been hard because it is from nature's good food (many fruits and vegetables), and it's hard to explain to people why you try to avoid those for your child.
5. Where do you shop for groceries?
Target and Aldi on a weekly basis. I stock up on certain things at Shoprite or Trader Joe's once a month.
6. How do you go out to eat?
Very carefully. We have certain restaurants that we like to go to including Wendy's, Moe's, McDonalds, Chili's and Olive Garden. Usually, when we go out I ask a lot of questions (I already have to do that because of peanut/ egg allergies). Hamburgers and pasta are typically safer choices as well as grilled chicken nuggets. We also frequent the Philly Pretzel Factory as a special treat. (I was pleased to find that they use parchment paper and not pan sprays when cooking their pretzels.) If we are going somewhere I am unsure about, I pack him a sack dinner to take.
7. How do you even get started on this program? For ~$80 I ordered the Feingold material and with that came a food guide which lists specific foods and brand names that have been researched and approved for both stages of the program. That is where I started. The first few months, I typically stuck to the list. Since then, I have ventured off to try other things by just reading labels. It also came with a restaurant guide, too, which was helpful at first.
8. How do you balance this Program and the peanut/ egg allergy? It is difficult because a lot of the "approved" foods are made with peanuts or "may contain" peanuts. Many of the treats that I would get at Trader Joe's fall into this category. I'll pick up a box of Trader Joe's cookies or their version of M&Ms only to find it may contain peanuts. On the other hand, it does give us an excuse for why he can't eat certain things or why he needs to bring his own snack somewhere. Naturally, people are more accepting of "My son has food allergies" rather than "We try to avoid food additives."
9. What are salicylates? Don't worry, I had never heard of them before either, nor had my pediatrician. I will link to a website that explains better than I can. http://salicylatesensitivity.com/about/about-salicylate-sensitivity/
10. Has this solved all of your problems with your son? NO! This program does not change the heart. Only God can do that.
11. Would you recommend this program to others? Absolutely! Especially if you have heard the words "ADHD" or spectrum disorder at a Parent/ Teacher conference or wonder why your child's behavior or mood is inconsistent despite loving consistent discipline. It's not only good for kids, but adults, too.
