I suffer from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Because of this I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian/pescatarian for several years, although this past year I have been practically vegan, or what I like to call a "Fair-Weather Vegan" as I still consume honey and (a few) products that contain small amounts of milk and egg.
What Erin Can't Eat, No Exceptions
- Red meat
- Pork
- Greasy or fried foods
- Processed foods containing MSG* (for relevance please see http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/6/702 and related document in pdf) - this includes most chips, crackers and family favorites like Kraft Dinner and other "quick-fix" dinners, not to mention a variety of Pan-Asian restaurants use it to enhance flavors.
- Processed white sugar, or sugar substitutes like aspartame* (see above link) - this includes most fruit juices, the majority of cereals, cookies, cakes and candy (including chocolate bars) and even home made sweets if they are baked with white sugar, carbonated** soda, diet carbonated soda
*Basically anything that can be lumped either into the snack food, junk food or fast food categories. AKA "Fun" or "Reasons Worth Living".
**The carbonation affects me just as much as the sugar content. It's a toss up which is worse: one increases bloating and stomach discomfort, one increases pain.
**The carbonation affects me just as much as the sugar content. It's a toss up which is worse: one increases bloating and stomach discomfort, one increases pain.
- Caffeine
- Coffee (even decaffeinated)
- Raw Apples (the skin)
- Cabbage
- Mango, Passion fruit, Kiwi (most tropical fruits, except Pineapple)
What Erin Can't Eat Much Of
- Dairy products - milk, cream, butter, cheese*, ice cream, mayonnaise*
- Citrus* - oranges, lemon, grapefruit
- Spicy foods
*Update August, 2011: I am able to eat citrus now, and I am able to eat small amounts of Feta cheese (goat's milk cheese is digested differently than cow's milk cheese) and small amounts of mayo without it being disastrous.
What Erin Can't Eat A Lot Of
- Bread
- Almonds
- Beans
- Tomato or tomato based products
What Erin Doesn't Eat (Just to be on the Safe Side)
- Chicken
- Fish*
- Egg (recently)
- (Frozen) Yogurt*
Update August 2011: I do eat seafood (like shrimp or crab, mostly in sushi) but I hardly ever eat fish because my husband doesn't like it and so we don't cook any of it at home. I am able to eat small amounts of good quality all natural yoghurt.
