Fresh Week: Fresh Diet to Heal Intestinal Permeability Issues

Posted Mon, 03/29/2010 - 10:56 by Melissa

Some people wondered about the chemical-free part of Sarah's diet. Of course all foods are made up of chemicals, but Sarah means added isolated chemicals. Her recipes featured flavors from fresh herbs and fruit rather than from dried spices or oils.

My own principle I would relate to people suffering from problems linked to increased gut permeability (leaky gut, though that term has been so dragged down with woo that I hesitate to use it) such as IBS the principle I would relate is: fresh. Personally, I did a zero carb week to minimize the populations of methane-producing bacteria in my gut (which was inspired by Hyperlipid's writings on the subject), but once you do that, you still have to heal. A diet based on fresh foods can minimize things a sensitive gut can react to. These things might surprise you- mold in dried spices/herbs or nuts, histamines and amines in preserved meats, and oxidized fats in oils for example.

A fresh diet works its magic by being as gentle as possible. I would say the principles are

  • Fresh meats (pastured lamb, buffalo, goat, and beef are the best choices) from a reputable farmer or butcher that haven't been aged long eaten raw if you feel comfortable or cooked by steaming, boiling, or low-heat methods
  • Seafood can cause problems for some people, so it might be wise to eliminate it for awhile, but if you know you tolerate it well, wild seafood is great choice for steaming
  • Fresh, not dried, fruits and vegetables. Vegetables should be peeled.
  • Use only fats that are fresh (coconut or avocado) or not susceptible to oxidation (coconut oil and butter are best)
  • Flavor with fresh fruits like oranges, vegetables like celery, or fresh herbs.
  • No fried foods, alcohol, egg whites, fermented foods (take a probiotic instead), strongly spiced foods, high-heat roasted foods, bottled sauces, nuts unless you harvested and cracked them yourself, dried spices, canned/dried/cured meats, olive oil, lard, or vegetable oil.

I have to emphasize this is a diet that can be temporary for most people, but everyone can benefit from including more fresh foods into their diet. I recently had some off seafood (not even raw...just normal cooked mussels that I was either allegic to or weren't kept properly) and right now I feel like doing this recovery diet to get things back to normal.

This week I will be featuring several fresh recipes and a fresh map featuring places in NY with amazing fresh ingredients!

Comments

Why no fermented foods for

by Mark Reardon - 04/04/2010 - 02:16

Why no fermented foods for someone looking to heal a leaky gut?

I firmly believe they should

by Melissa - 04/04/2010 - 07:57

I firmly believe they should be added later on in the healing produce due to the presence of amines, histamine, and other potentially irritating compounds. I personally had a problem with them and kept eating them even though it was obvious they were making me sick. I've known others who had the same problem.

They won't rebuild your gut flora (the bacteria are destroyed in your stomach). They are easy to digest, but for someone with a delicate stomach it's best not to eat hard to digest foods in the first place.

Amen sister! My "gut"

by chris - 03/29/2010 - 21:22

Amen sister! My "gut" finally feels normal after, oh, my entire adult life. I've been eating meat and vegetables almost exclusively since September. It's amazing that the ache in my stomach, which I'd habituated to somewhat, is gone and my "GI processes" are, um, healthy and regular. I know I starved the nasties in my intestines by entirely eliminating sugar and grain from my diet. I've just now begun adding back potatoes and berries before, during and/or after workouts and feel better than ever.

Anyhow Melissa love your site, dig your style and really respect your desire to help others. Keep on!