Looking back at the first two weeks on the Feingold Diet, I noticed at first that the improvements in behavior I saw were so subtle that they snuck under the radar. It wasn't until I witnessed the first blow out somewhere around day six that I realized, Oh My God it's been six days since our last blow out. By blow out, I mean a screaming temper tantrum with the most drama you could imagine over being asked to begin her bedtime routine. Throwing herself on the floor and moaning type of drama. This was a typical scene for us at least once a day for as long as I can remember. During the school year, I set my watch by the daily explosion. You'd think the sheer quiet of its absence would've knocked me over!
A cold turkey approach could've been a disaster so instead we had an on- ramp of about a week where we talked about what foods we would not be eating during Stage One and what we would eat instead. Not having to give up a lot of juice or candy or sweet treats was not dramatic since they weren't part of the landscape to begin with. There was a lot of discussion about why we were trying the diet and how it might help. Lily has really been on board from the beginning and I know I'm so incredibly lucky because if not for her understanding and cooperation, this experience could be very different.
My notes in our food diary from the first two weeks are highlighted by these kind of changes:
Calm and cooperative
Sits still while doing craft activities, coloring, or TV watching
Cooperative, quiet play with Owen (her brother)
Following directions (on the first request)
Initiating routines without being asked (like morning and bedtime)
Less easily frustrated by pain, disappointment, etc.
She's an overall happy child
Less anxiety
Over the past year when I felt like she was getting out of control, I tried to ask her to pay attention to what was going on with her insides and what she thought the problem was. Lily is a very sensitive and intuitive child and as far fetched as it might sound to ask a five year old that question, she'd usually answer with insights like, "I'm having a bad day, and I just can't control it." Or, "My brain is sending the wrong message to my body and it is getting me in trouble."
In the early part of last week she said to me, completely by surprise, "Mom, on the Feingold Diet I feel like my brain and body are talking and listening to each other. Before they weren't listening or cooperating. Hey, Mom-Oh those are happy tears, right?"
If that doesn't sound like a commercial or a sound bite, I don't know what does. I want to have it printed on a T-shirt and wear it around. Seriously.
Our "bad" days have been sprinkled in there too, it isn't 100% roses and sunshine. She had a meltdown at the pool one day because her goggles were letting in a little water. Our last two trips to the grocery store have been peppered with spastic behavior and easy frustration. But the quantity and intensity of any behaviors she checked into the program with are drastically reduced. When I decided to move forward with this I told myself that it certainly can't hurt and if 60-75% of her issues are helped, it would be worth it. So far the outcome has far exceeded my expectations.
Here is a sample menu from today:
Breakfast:
Yogurt with cheerios and sliced bananas
Snack:
Smoothie with pineapple juice, pineapple, mango and banana
Lunch:
Turkey whole wheat pita, kiwi fruit, milk
Snack:
Pear slices with peanut butter
Dinner:
Roasted salmon (a splurge for a Wednesday), asparagus and roasted yukon potatoes.
There are many Feingold approved commercial snacks, as well as frozen convenience foods and we definitely have then all on hand, but today we ate at home so this is as close to "perfect" as it usually gets.
I'll be sure to post again on Monday with a Week Four Check Up.
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