Feingold?

[Robin in Al]

I just have a quick question ...to get started with the Feingold diet, do I just need to order the $82 program materials? Is there anything else I need?
and those of you who use it..do you follow the diet for the entire family, ot just those who seem to need it? and... can you find most of these items at Wal-mart? we have a couple of smaller markets, but Wal-mart is the only big store close.

[Esther-Alabama]

In a nutshell, yes and yes.

You for sure need the program, especially the shopping guide for your region. Feingold can easily be done out of the local grocery store, with a few things special ordered via the internet if you need to. I shop at Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart almost exclusively. For special occasions and for speciality items, I go to Whole Foods Market in Mountain Brook, but I used to order candy and things like that online.

Think basic foods especially in the beginning. Grilled or baked meats, plus rice and steamed veggies is about the most basic meal and I build from there.

Eating out and eating at church, kid's parties, family gatherings are my biggest challenge.

Good luck and let me know if you need something specific. I am sure I could lead you to it.

[Robin in Al]

Does your whole family follow the diet?

I am almost committed..and so is my dh. I have a hard time justifying the money and trying to think I could do it on my own.

How do you handle when they have food not on the list (just thinking realistically..knowing someone will give them something). How do you handle going to someones home?

[Jen M]

Yes, buy the $82 worth of materials.

Yes, you can shop at Wal*Mart. And like Esther said you may have to get creative and order some things online or go to Whole Foods. But usually this is only for specialty items.

Yes, we are all on the diet. However, dh and I often break the rules (just not in front of dc). ;)

One of the challenges we had to overcome was not at home, it was all the places dc get treats away from home. But the 'exchange' system works here. Dc bring home a treat they have received, and they get a FG friendly treat in exchange.

HTH! :)

[Jen M]

How do you handle going to someones home?

I missed this question.

We simply say that dc have "food sensitivities", and can not have certain additives. But IF dc do end up having something "off diet", then it takes a few days for their bodies to re-adjust. For us, this means that we have to deal with "off" children during that time as well. Not fun.

ETA: We also bring own own foods to events, classes, practices, gatherings, etc.

[DD in IL]

Our whole family doesn't do it totally. We have switched to FG products for the whole family but if we go out to eat, we eat what we normally do and make sure dgs gets FG approved foods. Don't forget to switch toothpaste, chapstick, etc too. When he goes to parties, etc, we find out what they are serving and bring a FG substitute. My dd keeps dgs cupcakes in the freezer so she can pull out one when needed. My best suggestion especially in the beginning is to offer the approved "junk" so that your child/children don't feel
they are giving up stuff rather getting stuff. Before FG dgs seldom had cookies, ice cream.......his first comment to his other grandmother was I can't have apples and grapes now but I can have cookies and ice cream.

We try to not make it an issue with people.....we don't want people having to go out of their way to include is dietary issues........we just bring our own and if asked.....he has sensitivities.........We find most things we need at Walmart, Kroger.....my husband makes trips to Chicago often so he swings by Trader Joes for dgs' gum and his favorite cereal........we found the chapstick he can use at Cracker Barrel.....we had to ask if they knew about it and the lady went to the back of the store and brought one out.

[Robin in Al]

no apples or grapes????

[Esther-Alabama]

For us, the whole family follows the diet. My target child is my oldest, but it helps my two other boys as well. My family all knows about the diet and for the most part they respect that and don't bring really obvious things, like brightly colored cupcakes for the kids.

I bring substitutes to family gatherings, birthday parties, and to support group meetings. As soon as I can, I try and get on the snack committee, too!!

Anyway, that part is not so easy, but the "new child" I get is worth it.

[Linda]

no apples or grapes????

Not on stage 1. Apples and Grapes are high in salycillates (berries too). You cut all those, natural or otherwise, from your diet in stage one. You can have pears and citrus though (as well as many other fruits). :) Once you go through your predetermined time of how long to stay stage one, you can add those back in, one at a time, to see if your child has a reaction.

[Jen M]

no apples or grapes????

This is part of stage one of the diet. Here is an explanation from the FG site.

"In the beginning (Stage One) of the Feingold Program, aspirin and some foods containing salicylate (Suh-LIH-Suh-Late) are eliminated. Salicylate is a group of chemicals related to aspirin. There are several kinds of salicylate, which plants make as a natural pesticide to protect themselves. Those that are eliminated are listed in the salicylate list which is included also in the Program Handbook. Most people can eventually tolerate at least some of these salicylates."

[Robin in Al]

How long does stage one last?


I see some of you saying what I am thinking...that if you break the "rules" , accident or not...you just deal with the consequences... Seems logical, but are they worse after eliminating items for a time? does that make sense?

Thank you all for holding hand!! ;) I am such a rule follower...this is a big commitment!! I know it will be worth it!

And...What about supplements? Are they ok? Like fish oil???

[Esther-Alabama]

For us, stage one lasted 3 weeks, but if your target is older, you may need it to last longer, up to 6 weeks. Some people get instant, 180 degree results; some get more subtle results that are more evident over time. Depends on your results.

Fish oil supplements are okay and help some kids a lot.

If you have a reaction, depends again on the child, but having not dealt with the behaviors in a while... my ds's reactions seem more pronounced, kwim? He will have extreme emotional reactions for 2 days after an infraction. He snaps, whines, lashes out, and has NO patience. Then he settles on down and becomes our sweet, even-tempered, eager to please boy again after it is out of his system.

I hope this helps.

[Jen M]

Same here.

I would say that they do seem worse after being away from the no-no's for some time. I think this is simply me. I have fallen in love with my sweet, calm, more balanced, compassionate children. And being "off" turns our lives around for a few days. When they are "off" it takes us about 3 days to turn around. My two older children are my targets. My ds gets super anxious, panicky, moody, distant in-his-own-world, and results to some ocd type tendencies. My dd8 will fidget constantly, get moody, also results to some ocd type tendencies and just has a hard time controlling her actions.

My ds is on Fish Oil, and a multi-vitamin. We chose ones that have no additives. Both work well with his system in addition to the diet. These have worked well for ds.

[Robin in Al]

[QUOTE=Esther-Alabama]


If you have a reaction, depends again on the child, but having not dealt with the behaviors in a while... my ds's reactions seem more pronounced, kwim? /QUOTE]

That is what I was thinking...right now we are used to the behavior...but if was eliminated and came back...I can see it being worse.

I am glad we can still do the fish oil...did not want to give up that since it works!

You guys are wonderful!!

[DD in IL]

We have pretty much stuck with Stage 1. Occasionally we let him have something from Stage 2.

[Linda]

Many people will stick w/ stage 1 because they love the way their children are on stage 1 and are too afraid to have the old kid back. :lol:

Those who have been faithful for years to the program have said that their child can have a slip up here and there w/o them noticing a problem. So, over time, it is possible to have an off list food w/o a reaction but that is not every child w/ every food and only after years of being on "diet".

As kids get older, and can feel the difference, they will often take the responsibility on themselves to not eat the offending food. My oldest, she's my main target child, struggles w/ food while she's out. She's impulsive and has a hard time regulating her actions, especially when it comes to snacks. Even though she's the one who is likely to cave to the snack at bible study or some other outside group, she's also old enough for me to gently point out her rotten behavior when she does slip up. She does get it, she just struggles with stopping herself.

[Robin in Al]

Many people will stick w/ stage 1 because they love the way their children are on stage 1 and are too afraid to have the old kid back. :lol:



That is funny!
Is this a no wheat or dairy thing???

I know I have a million questions!!

[Esther-Alabama]

No...Feingold does not limit wheat or diary. Feingold is a diet free from artificial flavors and colors, preservatives BHT, BHA, TBHQ, and artificial sweetner aspartame. It has two stages. Stage one also limits the natural salicylates found in some foods.

You can do it. And ask all the questions you need to...I will be happy to help and I know everyone else will as well.

[Robin in Al]

Thanks Esther!! and all of you who answered my many questions!

I am sure this is what we need to do, I just needed some guidance! I guess we will start after Christmas...(so I can afford the materials)!
I am sure I will be back with more questions.

I am ready. I can do this!!

[Linda]

There is also a Feingold message board, although I think you have to be a member to participate. :unsure:

[Robin in Al]

What was the hardest thing to cut out in your home?

I know eating away from home will be a bigger challenge, but I was wondering what the biggest challenge for you was at home. :)

[Linda]

Apples & ketchup (tomatoes are stage 2).

[Robin in Al]

I am thinking apples will be hard. Dh eats 2 a day no exceptions. I buy 12 lbs of apples a week!!
Maybe that is our problem!! Salicylate overload!!
NO ketchup!:sad:

[Esther-Alabama]

You CAN have pears on stage one, but I also made sure I had plenty of extra special sweets for my kids during stage one. It helps with the things I had to take away.

Homemade sugar cookies and lemonade go a long way to soothing over no apples! :lol: