Last July, I was having some minor medical problems. Nothing serious but just annoying.
After much Googling, I decided to treat myself with changes to my diet rather than drugs (with too many possible side effects.)
These are some of the foods that I eliminated:
- all caffeine (no coffee or chocolate)
- all alcohol (no wine or mixed drinks)
- most fruits especially citrus
- tomatoes and spicy foods
- artificial sweeteners
- carbonated beverages
The hardest: coffee.
I LOVE my coffee especially lattes.
miss this!
Instead I am drinking peppermint herbal tea with sugar in the morning. (After a several days, you really don’t need the caffeine to wake up. Really.)
I like chocolate but I can do without. There are many desserts out there that I enjoy.
bread pudding , apple pie, pastries, etc.
I am not a big drinker and not ordering drinks when out sure is a money saver. But I do enjoy a glass of wine in the evening before bed.
Instead, I have been ordering water at meals and drinking camomile tea with sugar in the evening.
As far as fruits, I have been eating a lot of pears and apples. I can eat blueberries and watermelon too. I am ok with that.
homemade apple pie!
I do love pasta and pizza but I have been eating white versions of both.
How does this relate to running?
It is really difficult to find protein bars without chocolate. All my favorites do.
here is one of the few
And try to find an energy gel without caffeine?? Almost impossible. My favorite vanilla & chocolate outrage GUs are out. I did find a few vanilla flavored in other brands (but do not like them as much.)
the only flavor GU without caffeine
I was worried about running without my cup of coffee before a race and fueling during without caffeine.
But I did run a half in October, a 15K in November and a 10 miler in January. So I guess I can survive. (Not sure if it had an negative effect.)
Giving up certain foods is tough. But if your health is involved, you just do it.
I didn’t feel better right away but eventually, I did. In the beginning when I cheated on my diet, the symptoms returned.
Now I feel perfectly fine. I have even been adding my forbidden foods back in…little by little.
a DECAF one when I was proctoring the bar exam
a creme brulee martini during my recent vacation
a salted caramel Gu during Sunday’s run
Since I am not sure which foods actually will cause me symptoms, I am leery about jumping back to eating all my favorites foods.
But don’t be surprised if I start drinking coffee again (with Splenda) instead of tea.
Happy Running! Have you ever given up caffeine or any of your favorite foods?
My First 5K and More... 
Hi Darlene:
I’m new to your blog but I already love it! I admire how honest you are in explaining the positives and negatives of your training, etc. I tried running for about 3 months my 50th year of life but injured myself in my ignorance on how to run. I have since become wiser (well, I HOPE so) and at age 59 began again to run. I’ve done a lot of research and reading before I even began my attempt. I am careful not to increase my walk/run sessions more than 10% a week because I’m so fearful of injuries. Do you have any other advice you think I would benefit from? I’m currently attempting the Couch to 5K application. Thank you so much for your time and inspiration. P.S. You participate in soooo many events, does your husband complain that you’re gone so much?
Nancy
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Congrats! I hope you stick with it. It is so worth it. You are right on about not overdoing it. And rest days are important. Also don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Set your own goals. Sign up for races. You meet others and they are the best motivator.
And yes, sometimes in the summer but he knows that I am NOT happy when I am not running. And really races are early in the am and don’t take up more than an hour (5k).
Good luck. keep in touch.
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I haven’t tried to give up caffeine, but I’ve been cutting back on my dunkin runs, like only 1 time a week. I gave up soda a few years ago, but I did have ginger ale when I wasn’t feeling well. I’ve given up splenda and use stevia at home and get sugar when I order coffee out. Have you tried Mighty Leaf Chamomile Citrus tea, it’s really good, and I drink it plain.
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That’s a lot of change all at once! I went gluten- and soy-free for thyroid purposes. I should eliminate caffeine too, but I haven’t. Try finding any processed foods without soy involved. I’ve used stevia in my coffee for years.
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I gave up caffeine, for the most part, a couple years back when I gave up Diet Coke. The aspartame was making me violently ill, and I started drinking sugar free iced tea instead. There is still a little caffeine, but nowhere near as much! Good luck with your new way of eating, you can do it!
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