In the past several weeks we tracked the chronicles of Denver Post writer, Doug Brown, as he embarked on a five-week food elimination journey.  Over that time, he progressively removed sugar, dairy, meat, eggs, fish, gluten, and salt as a personal experiment.  He hoped to find out if it did have some sort of effect on his health. 

His findings were interesting, yet it was his final note that didn’t hit home with me until this weekend. Weeks of intense cravings built up, and Doug was ready to indulge after his term of abstinence.  But half way through the gorging, all he wanted was rice, plain rice. 

To be noted, my trial was not nearly as extensive.  Two days hardly compares to five weeks.  Nonetheless, my husband decided it might be good for us to try a juice fast over the weekend for a “cleansing” experience.  Oddly enough, I didn’t find it very cleansing.  In fact, my stomach has felt very “ugh” since the weekend. 

Yet, after all the cravings I had (coffeecake, hamburgers, you name it), I woke up on Monday morning and made…a smoothie.  The fast was over, yet I just didn’t feel like anything else.  The day went on, and fruits and vegetables were all I really felt like eating.

It has been two days, and no gluten, sugar, eggs, and of course dairy have come anywhere near my plate.  One half serving of chicken, and just a bit of salt have been my only “vices.”  To think that I may be transforming my diet may be wishful thinking.  But if I can hold off on added sugar (honey, maple syrup, etc.) for just one month, the fast may have proven more beneficial to my long-term health than expected.

Beyond his fascinating story, I hope that Doug reaps some permanent rewards from his personal diet experiment. 

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