The "No-No" Food List!

Most of us take what we eat for granted... without thought of risk or consequence until the unthinkable happens. We go to the store, list or no list, and begin plucking crap from the shelves and fill our carts with a horrific plethora of substances that poison our body. Crackers, breads, sodas, candy, cereals... all processed with lethal dosages of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, dyes and God only knows what else. Whose idea was it any to add "corn" bi-products to just about every process food we eat? As much as 80% of all foods processed contain corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup. And that's not a good thing!

For years, I was no different than most of you. With five daughters in tow, I seldom made the choices about what was going on the breakfast, lunch and dinner table. They made the choices... otherwise it probably wasn't going to be eaten. And to this day, my youngest daughter is doing the same, but to a much lesser degree. We've become the victims of strategic marketing, product placement and colorful packaging, and as parents we can't compete.

"If they won't eat it... no sense in buying it," was my unspoken shopping mantra. If I knew then what I know now...

These days I read every label of every food item on the shelf. What do I look for? It's probably easier to list the foods I CAN'T eat... to give you an idea of the drastic measures I've taken as a result of suspected, or real triggers of my angioedema-urticaria curse. It has taken years to discover what foods need to be avoided. After reading the list, you might be shocked... and wondering... what does this guy eat?

The "No-No" Food List

corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, most sweeteners, carbonated drinks, caffeinated drinks, shellfish, enriched white rice, fat and fatty foods, additives and preservatives (especially foods with nitrates), gluten (which includes most grains), dairy products, eggs, cereals, soy, processed foods, foods in tin cans.

Have you stopped laughing... or crying.

The Ultimate Frustration

... my worst episode occurred one evening after going out to dinner with a friend. Lobster and a variety of other fine foods triggered multiple swellings all over my body. The worst part was the sensation of a rope around my neck. My airway was constricting, which sent me into a panic mode. Rather than call an ambulance, I rushed myself to the hospital where I received an IV that included prednisone and Benadryl. I recovered in the emergency room for about four hours before they let me depart. That morning I was in Dr. B's office listening to his every word about life style changes, increases of medication, epipens and "triggers". My Zyrtec dosage was increased to 20 mg daily, just before bedtime. Lobster was out... as well as "any" shellfish I was inclined to eat. My new diet would include "gluten free" foods. You have no idea how that impacted my life... a complete loss of a major food group.

It's extremely rare that such outbreaks result in death, however my whole attitude about food changed in ways that even I wouldn't have imaged. I read every label... and continue to to this day... of every food item I'm considering purchasing. That list would grow exponentially over time.