I will be posting some brief excerpts from the new Wheat Belly 10-Day Grain Detox book here to highlight some of the information in this new way to begin (or resume) the Wheat Belly lifestyle.
Don’t Exercise
That may sound odd, given the benefits of exercise. But exercising during the withdrawal process is like trying jog, swim, or jump rope while suffering the flu: it will be a miserable experience minus the sinus congestion. Don’t torture yourself—and don’t feel guilty for not exercising during this process. At most, do something at a leisurely pace: go for a walk in the woods or around your neighborhood, or take a casual bike ride. But it would be counterproductive to force yourself to run, bike hard, or strength train, as the effort will make you feel worse. Rest assured that, once the fireworks of withdrawal are over, you will feel so wonderful that physical activities and exercise will not just be possible again without all the discomfort, but you will feel eager for the freedom and movement of vigorous physical activity.
Some people are skeptical that this might be true. After all, most people feel terrific after a round of vigorous exercise. But I’ve found this to be true over and over again: exercise during your wheat/grain detoxification and withdrawal, and you will be nauseated, lightheaded, poop out way earlier than usual, and even provoke joint and muscle cramps/pains you’ve not had before. It is simply not worth it. So I really mean it: no exercise during the first week!
You will get beyond this phase of the Wheat Belly lifestyle, and it is a small price to pay to feel and look wonderful.
I just finished reading this book and am so excited to started the detox, but I have several questions I didn’t find answers to in the book, nor so far, on this blog website. I’m hoping someone can help me.
1. For the daily meal plans and detox shakes, the carbs are definitely more than 15 g, so does the rule for “limit carbs to 15 g per meal/6hrs” mean we can add up to 15 g aside from the carbs per serving (some I saw as high as 40 carb g and only 8 g fiber) in the meal plan?
2. I’m FREAKED OUT over the calorie content in each serving of these meals. I don’t eat more than 1200-1300 calories a day. Some days during this detox has me eating over 2000 calories. FYI, only the calories freak me out, not the fat. I understand the whole needed fat concept.
3. I have a content ileostomy, so I have no colon. I’m curious as to how this affects the whole pre/probiotics thing if there is only a small intestine.
Thanks in advance for any help or insight.
April wrote: «For the daily meal plans and detox shakes, the carbs are definitely more than 15 g,…»
Some appear to be a bit over 15g net, and for those I’m sure that development demonstrated that it’s not a problem.
«…so does the rule for “limit carbs to 15 g per meal/6hrs” mean we can add up to 15 g aside from the carbs per serving…»
No. The rule is total of all net carbs.
«I’m FREAKED OUT over the calorie content…»
Don’t be. We don’t count calories because calories don’t count. It’s the type of calories that matter.
«I have a content ileostomy, so I have no colon. I’m curious as to how this affects the whole pre/probiotics thing if there is only a small intestine.»
That situation is not one that’s arisen on the blog before. I’m going to make some inquiries.
________
Blog Reply Associate (click my user name for details)
April wrote: «I have a content ileostomy, so I have no colon. I’m curious as to how this affects the whole pre/probiotics thing if there is only a small intestine.»
I don’t know if Dr. Davis will be able to add anything on this, and the thread will only be open for comments for another two days. As I mentioned above, this issue has not arisen previously on the blog. It may not have arisen in Dr. Davis’ practice, as he is a cardiologist – and the microbiome topic itself was added to the Wheat Belly menu only in the last 3 years.
In some internet searching, it appears that doing anything for microbiome support, in the context of an ileostomy, is an open question. There are anecdotal reports on various forums with people reporting benefits from various fermented foods and/or certain supplement bacteria.
One thing that is pretty clear is that the probiotic products suggested by Wheat Belly are unlikely to have much effect, because they are specifically encapsulated to survive transit of the upper GI, and open only in the lower (which is no longer present). These particular products would at least have to be taken with food (rather than ahead of it), or even deliberately broken open, to have a chance of working, and then might be largely deactivated by digestive acids and enzymes.
Another approach might be to directly supplement the beneficial byproducts that would normally be produced by the gut bacteria. I haven’t tallied these and don’t have any insight into what might be available.
Another thing to look into might be an intestinal transplant. I was surprised to find that they are indeed done. Even if available, it would of course open up new issues, including associated permanent dietary restrictions, and the effect of anti-rejection drugs on the new microbiome.
Typically in cases of unusual conditions, we end up suggesting “work with your specialist”, but there probably aren’t many gastroenterologists who are truly competent in both their specialty and in the emerging field of microbiome – or they would have suggested trying a restorative diet prior to any consideration of surgery.
________
Blog Reply Associate (click my user name for details)
Thank you so much Bob. I guess I’ll give it a try by breaking open capsules (found a brand that says ok to open them). I’m assuming even if doesn’t help in my situation, at least it won’t hurt.