Thing I've discovered is each person is different so even if some of those gals can't have cheese maybe you can...
I don't know much about your condition but I have anemia and have been told a lot of things to eat and not to eat over the years each doc is different with their diet restrictions and such... all the different docs NEVER helped me... some even made mesicker...
So I read all I could on my own and I listen to my body... every doc I know has always told me no caffeine but I cut it out and honestly didn't notice a difference so caffeine doesn't bother me... maybe it could be that way with you...
So before you cut it all out maybe eliminate one thing at a time for about 2 weeks see if you feel better... if not then slowly add it back into your diet and move to the next thing to eliminate... listen to your body...
Since I've stopped going to docs and basically did the steps above and eat healthier I feel better now than I have in years! Not saying this will work for everyone but I also don't believe that a base diet will work for all people each person's body is different so each disease they have would need a different treatment...
SD, I'm not telling you to go against your diet rules, but I seriously wonder at times how accurate the rules are. I'm not nearly as bad as you are, and basically, the only thing I avoid are coffee and sodas w/caffeine in them. I eat salt. I eat wheat. I eat dairy. I eat all kinds of things I shouldn't. And, it's rare for me to have a really bad day. As soon as I can get my hands on a copy of NT, I'm going to be reading it, and seeing if eating that way makes any difference at all. I'll let you know how I make out.
Besides that there is cheese and then there is cheese.
Find out the specifics of what is not allowed and WHY it is not allowed. Fresh made at home cheese like ricotta, or mozzarella are not aged like other cheeses. They would contain no preservatives etc..
My bet is that it is those preservatives, or additives (like the nitrates) that cause the problems.
Anyway keep the faith. You know there are lots of very knowledgeable folks on this forum that are here for you!
They are telling me the same thing....different people have different triggers. Aged cheese apparently is worse. But even vinegar is on that list. I'm supposed to keep a food diary (again) and watch how my symptoms react.
But it is hard for me to come up with safe things to eat at this point. unsalted oatmeal? rice? straight meat? This is extremely depressing. I honestly could have lived with that list had it not been for the cheese and the chocolate....
I will have to talk to my doctor and I think I want to ask him to refer me to a nutritionist. I don't know how any normal person could create a diet for themselves with my different health problems.
Thank you for the support you guys, it feels like I just got kicked in the gut.
I wish I had something to cheer you up. You know your symptoms better than anybody and how your body reacts to things. Maybe a short elimination would help find trigger foods and that would be enough.
I am so sorry to hear about your new restrictions....like everyone else, I would just offer that thru elimination you may find that some of the foods that you love can be tolerated.
SD, you might want to look into doing GAPS. Might be a good way to cleanse, and do a safe elimination diet,and potentially see a bit of healing happen too.