Based upon the results of my MRT (food sensitivity) labs which helps to identify hidden inflammatory foods, I have started the The LEAP ImmunoCalm Dietary Management program. LEAP stands for Lifestyle Eating and Performance. This program is an individualized diet plan, because each person can react to different foods and chemicals. Specific foods and chemicals can cause problems for one person but not another. Common chronic health complaints such as digestive problems, headaches, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue can be caused by our immune system’s reaction to foods and other substances in our diet. (For a few more details about the MRT click here.)

It’s Not What You’re Reactive to… It’s What You’re Not Reactive to.

So the LEAP diet is a food reintroduction program developed specifically for you and is based upon your food sensitivities. The reintroduction schedule is comprised of 5 phases, each phase displays a list of food that have been divided into food categories. My plan started off with my least reactive foods for Phase 1 and lasted for 7 days. When you move on to phase 2 a new list of foods is provided, and from that list I am able to add 1 new food each day for 5 days and then move on to phase 3 and so on… After phase 5, comes a 3 day rotation diet.

My Personalized Diet Plan for Phase 1 (Days 1-7) looked like this:

• Proteins: Shrimp, Venison, Pork, Beef, Mung Bean
• Starches/Grains: Oat, Buckwheat, Rye
• Fruits: Avocado, Apple, Banana, Pear
• Veggies: Spinach, Brussel Sprouts, Green Pepper, Cauliflower, Cabbage
• Dairy/Misc.:  Cow’s Milk, American Cheese
• Nuts/Seeds/Oils:  Peanut, Cashew 
• Flavor Enhancers: Black Pepper, Cardamom, Turmeric, Paprika, Rosemary

Phase 2 (Days 8 – 12)

Starting Phase 2, a new list of foods is provided, and from that list I am able to add 1 new food each day for 5 days. This reintroduction schedule helps to fine tune my eating list, and helps to experience how my body responds to each new food in my diet. If any of the added foods causes any type of reaction, that food must be eliminated from my eating list. It is noted that it is also very important to not eat the same foods over and over, as new sensitivities could arise. With such a limited list this can be a challenge, but variety in the diet is the key to preventing this.

During phase 2, I was able to add one new food to my previous list from this new list of items. I chose to add egg yolk, corn, cheddar cheese, grapefruit and of course coffee. So many good choices of items to add, I had a really had a hard time deciding. So happy that since bread and sugar are out of the equation, I can at least have my cheese.

• Proteins: Turkey, Salmon, Egg Yolk, Clam, Crab
• Starches/Grains: Spelt, Barley, Corn
• Fruits: Grapefruit, Blueberry, Cranberry, Strawberry
• Veggies: Butternut Squash, Zucchini, Mushroom, Asparagus, Celery
• Dairy/Misc.:  Coffee, Cheddar Cheese
• Nuts/Seeds/Oils:  Almond, Pecan
• Flavor Enhancers: Mint, Mustard Seed, Basil, Cinnamon, Garlic

Phase 3 (Days 13 – 17)

From this like I only had a few items I really wanted to add. So I chose a few from my previous list and a couple from here. Ultimately I chose to add mushroom, pecan, blueberry, olive (oil that is) and cottage cheese. Strangely enough the cottage cheese is amazing on top of spinach. It gives it a dressing like taste to the spinach.

• Proteins: Lentil, Sole, Halibut, Scallop, Pinto Bean
• Starches/Grains: Tapioca, White Potato
• Fruits: Date, Plum, Cherry, Grape
• Veggies: Kale, Pumpkin, Green Pea, Lima Bean, Chard
• Dairy/Misc.:  Rooibos tea, Cottage Cheese
• Nuts/Seeds/Oils: Sunflower Seed, Olive
• Flavor Enhancers: Honey, Leek, Ginger, Nutmeg, Lime

Phase 4 (Days 18- 22)

I just began Phase 4, and on Day 18 I chose to add egg whites. I can have the whole egg now, so exciting. My plan is to add white potato, sweet potato, pistachio and strawberry during this phase. Being into this program for just a little over 2 weeks and I have to say that I feel more energized, less bloated and I do not feel like I am depriving myself. Sugar craving are gone, and I wake up refreshed. I have not felt the need for afternoon naps. Although I have taken a couple just because I love afternoon naps, but not because I need them.

• Proteins: Garbanzo Bean, Egg White, Rainbow trout, Navy Bean, Soybean
• Starches/Grains: Millet, Sweet potato, Kamut
• Fruits: Papaya, Mango, Apricot, Raspberry
• Veggies: Tomato, Carrot, Bok choy, Cucumber, Green Bean
• Dairy/Misc.:  Cocoa, Goat’s Milk
• Nuts/Seeds/Oils: Hazelnut, Pistachio
• Flavor Enhancers: Oregano, Scallions, Parsley, Carob, Cayenne Pepper

Phase 5 (Days 23-27)

I have already planned out Phase 5. My choices are tuna, rice, broccoli, tuna, cucumber and tomato. The one item I am most excited about is rice, crazy to think rice would be such a wonderful thing.

• Proteins: Tuna
• Starches/Grains: Amaranth, Rice
• Fruits: Peach
• Veggies: Eggplant, Broccoli
• Dairy/Misc.:  No New items
• Nuts/Seeds/Oils: Flaxseed
• Flavor Enhancers: Lemon, Maple, Coriander Seed, Coconut

Then on to the rotation phase of the diet…

Starting on day 28, I will begin Phase 6 which is a 3 day rotation diet.  A rotation diet is a dietary approach to treating food sensitivities. A 3-day rotation diet limits one’s exposure to foods from the same food family to once every 3 days. Once I get to this phase, I will give more details about how this phase works.

Putting the pieces together

So what I have learned so far… I am a slow-oxidizer which basically means I should try to balance my meals with 60% Carbs, 25% Protein and 15% Fats/Oils. I have learned what my most reactive foods are, so I need to avoid them. The most difficult items I have had to avoid are sugar, wheat, lettuce and chicken.

Soon I will receive the remaining lab results so far now, the goal is to follow both the LEAP program while balancing my meals according to my metabolic typing. It really isn’t as hard as it seems, but I have found myself just sticking to whole foods most of the time. As I become more comfortable with my list of foods, I plan to start trying out some new recipes. And that will be another adventure…