Withdrawal-induced food intolerances: quick tips

• Everyone is different and so it’s key to pay attention to the messages your body communicates to you—especially during and after eating meals. There are, however, certain food groups that it seems a significant majority of people in the withdrawal community report having difficulties with. They include:
   
  • Gluten
  • Sugar
  • Dairy
  • Processed foods
  • Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes
  • Foods with high levels of glutamate (and MSG)
  • Some people also report difficulties with foods that have high levels of histamine
• Though new or intensified problems with food may be distressing and frustrating, remind yourself that there are understandable biological reasons why this happens and that many, many people with time, patience, persistence, and self-motivated research figure out how to take care of themselves nutritionally, heal their gut, and enjoy food at the same time.
   
• It can be confusing to sort out which foods may be causing what problems, especially if you’re not paying close attention to what you’re eating. Keeping track of the foods you eat in a journal and making note of how you feel afterwards may be an effective way to get better clarity on which foods your body might be reacting to. Be sure to notice the emergence or intensification not just of physical problems, but also mental, cognitive, and emotional ones, along with sleep patterns.
   
• Probiotics are found by some to be useful, but as with all supplements in psychiatric drug withdrawal, individuals react differently. Doing your own research, making gradual changes, and listening to the body each step of the way is important.
   
• Read "The Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Healing During Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal" to learn more about healing your body in the wake of psychiatric drugs.

Photo courtesy of Susan Murtaugh and Flickr Creative Commons.