Tag Archives: post nasal drip

April 18, 2013 · 7:57 pm

How Do I Give up a Favorite Snack?

I wrote about food sensitivity in late March. In that post, I also mentioned that I feared I suffered from food sensitivity as I have arthritis, nasal congestion and post nasal drip. Since that time, I have contacted a nutritionist and am beginning the elimination diet. Briefly, in the elimination diet, I will be eliminating dairy and gluten foods from my consumption. After a couple of weeks, I hope to see the symptoms of my ailments becoming less aggravating. If that is the case, I will have established that I have a sensitivity to either (or both) gluten and/or dairy.

The nutritionist was great to talk to. She gave me lots of materials to read that will aid in my following the diet.

The apple part of the snack was easy

This brings me to one of the first ‘challenges.’ Back in April of last year I wrote A Tasty Apple Dessert or Snack.

This snack consists of apple slices eaten with crumbled gorgonzola cheese. I love it and eat it every day. However, now that I am eschewing as opposed to chewing dairy, I can not have it. To put it mildly – darn! Continue reading →

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Filed under apple, food sensitivity, gluten free, sodium

Tagged as apple, apple dessert, food, food sensitivity, gluten-free, health, hummus, post nasal drip, red delicious apples, salt, saturated fat, sodium

March 29, 2013 · 5:39 am

Mr. Lazy Cook Tweaks a Meal

Since I started writing this blog, I have made some major and minor changes in my life, exercise and eating habits. In this, the second month of my fourth year of blogging, I am down 15 pounds from where I started the blog and 70 pounds from my worst weight and physical condition ever. You can see me at my worst in the post How I Lost 50 Pounds in 52 Weeks.

My latest tweak is to stop eating a half slice of pizza daily at lunch. I am trying to cut back on the gluten and dairy I consume because I think I may have a food sensitivity to them and they are aggravating my arthritis and post nasal drip.

The idea hit me at Costco

So, I am now eating a salad at lunch along with my high fiber parfait. One of the things that has always given me pause about making salads is what to include. There are so many options, I would just freeze up. Maybe that’s why I am Mr. Lazy Cook. I like it quick and dirty.

I have been able to buy salad greens at a local fresh market that included baby spinach, arugula, kale and other green goodies. But, what about the rest of the salad? All those choices!

You can read the ingredients on the package

As so often has occurred in the past, I happened to be in Costco when the answer hit me. The Kirkland brand Fruit and Nuts! As you can see from the photos, the first was at Costco, the second, a close up of the package, it included dried cranberries, dried cherries, almonds, walnuts and dry-roasted pistachios. What wonderful additions to a salad!

Here is the nutritional breakdown of one ounce (30 grams):
Calories 150
Total Fat 8 grams
Saturated Fat 1 gram
No Cholesterol
No Sodium
Carbohydrates 15 grams
Fiber 2 grams
Protein 4 grams

Sometimes I add some avocado because I love what avocado adds to a salad besides being terrifically healthy. I advocate avocados.

Now I have a wonderful, quick fix, stick to the ribs salad at lunch time. Also, this is a simple stepping off point. I can add some quinoa or other goodies for even more nutritional benefits.

Tony

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Filed under calories, healthy eating, lazy cook, men's health, Weight

Tagged as baby spinach, calorie counting, food, health, healthy eating, lazy cook, portion size, post nasal drip, salad greens, vegetarian, weight

March 22, 2013 · 9:31 am

What is Food Sensitivity?

The first thing food sensitivity is NOT is a food allergy. Everyone knows what a food allergy is. An allergic reaction is an instantaneous one in which, for example, a person eats a peanut or a shellfish and immediately has trouble breathing. On the other hand, food sensitivity is very different, more subtle and difficult to ascertain. I am currently taking a course entitled “The Science of Natural Healing” from The Great Courses.

In the course book, the teacher, Dr. Mimi Guarneri, says about food sensitivity, “It is one of the causes of chronic low grade inflammation. You keep taking in a food and your body keeps seeing it as a foreign invader, and your body works constantly to clear the toxin from your system. Even though the reaction may not be severe, the long term consequences are enormous.”

Dr. Guarneri is board-certified in cardiology, internal medicine, nuclear medicine, and holistic medicine. She earned her medical degree from The State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, where she graduated first in her class.

I have talked about stress previously and how chronic stress can be devastating to the human body. It appears that food sensitivity is, in fact, chronic stress brought about by what we eat, rather than our emotional reaction to a situation. Continue reading →