I had a call recently from a friend who's been having a lot of gastric pain, gas, severe headaches and occasional numbness on her left side.
She's been scanned and tested, but the doctors (including a neurologist) still can't pinpoint the problem.
In the meantime, however, she's been advised to avoid certain foods (surprise, surprise). The remaining foods that she can eat (without painful consequences) are canned peaches (not fresh ones), steamed fish and chicken, rice, noodles, spinach, soya milk (in small amounts) and cranberry juice.

Not surprisingly, she's desperate to add to this meager regime.
She knows I'm a proponent of raw foods, but she's not willing to go that far.
She does, however, recognise that her former diet (lots and lots of fatty, hot'n spicy, oily foods) have contributed to her present condition.

I personally think the problem might be irritable bowel syndrome. Apparently her doctor hasn't tested for that yet. (I plan to point her in the direction of Dave Klein's book.)

Anyway, I wonder whether anyone here can suggest some tasty food combos or recipes that would make her present diet a little more interesting. She's been told to avoid most fruits (e.g., citrus, apples, bananas raisins, peaches) and vegetables (potatoes, celery, onions, beans, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, etc.), and is getting very little fibre. She's not to eat any kinds of beans, wheat or oil products.

Has anyone here experienced any of the symptoms my friend has? I'd be grateful for any tips or advice that I can pass on to her.

Thanks!

Donna

does she exercise regularly?
sometimes when i don't get exercise i will not be able to
digest food well. like i have the calories but there is no
reason to burn them. I'm not talking about weight lifting.
just get outside and walk around and do things.

that gives the body a reason to burn some calories and
gets the blood pumping. just eat a little bit of fruit
or something with carbos for breakfast than get out and
do something for a couple of hours so you will be
hungry for your next meal. make sure you enjoy the
exercise if you don't you will tend to just get it over
with. if you enjoy what you are doing you will give
it your all and your extra efforts will be rewarded.

that helps me and might not help your friend. they
may have a real problem with digestion or exercise.
but it can't hurt to try.

Thanks for your input, judes.

The exercise is a good idea. I don't think she gets enough.
Although the stomach pain probably contributes to that. It's a vicious circle.

Donna