So, you know why we're doing the diet, and how we got started but I'm sure some of you are wondering what the diet is EXACTLY. I'm going to start by saying that I am in no way an expert. I have wandered around a website, read parts of a book and spoken to a friend who is following the diet -not really thorough research by anyone's standards! So if you really want to know more and understand it fully I'd advise you visit a couple of websites:
- http://fedup.com.au/
- http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/
And read: Fed Up by Sue Dengate
In simplistic terms FAILSAFE is the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Strict Elimination diet. It is a diet that is free from artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and most food additives. It also excludes, Salicylates and Amines - naturally occurring food chemicals.
Salicylates are natural pesticides that many fruit and vegetables have in high concentrations, particularly in their skin. Foods high in salicylates include grapes, spinach, most fruits, teething gels and nurofen. Amines are a byproduct of the breakdown of food and are high in tropical fruits, meats, cheeses and dark chocolate.
For the first 3 weeks you need to stick to the diet strictly. Our shopping list is:
Fruit: Pears, fresh and tinned (in syrup NOT juice)
Vegetables: Potatoes, chives, garlic, swedes, chokos, red cabbage, mung bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, parsley, green beans, celery, cabbage, Brussels sprouts,iceberg lettuce, leeks and shallots.
Meat: Chicken, Beef, Fish and Lamb
Dairy: A2 Milk, natural yoghurt, cream, butter, cream, cream cheese and ricotta
Other: Eggs, oats, flour, white sugar, pretzels, scotch finger biscuits, saladas, tin beans, Plain Kettle chips, pasta, rice, raw cashews, golden syrup and plain ice-cream.
We make our own bread, biscuits, cakes and muffins. We have also made dips and mayonnaise.
That is pretty much it, the list seems long but when you think about what you would normally buy - and look at it all in one place. It really isn't much, and it's ALL green or white.
When it comes to drinks you are limited to water. Tap, bottled, mineral, soda. Occasionally tonic or plain lemonade for special occasions. Decaf coffee and milk are also allowed, as well as Gin and Vodka.
Personal care and cleaning products are also limited as most scents contain salicylates. Toothpaste, moisturiser, dishwashing liquid and air fresheners all need to be carefully considered.
The hardest thing about the diet for us has been that it goes against everything we know to be a 'healthy, balanced diet'. How can a carrot be bad for you? Why can I have white sugar but not raw? How can decaf coffee be allowed but not herbal tea? Thankfully we haven't had to explain our choices to anyone yet. But I'm sure it won't be long before we start hearing "a banana can't hurt", "what do you mean you can't eat tomato?", and for Rhys I'm sure the worst of all "Just one beer."
We won't be on such a limited diet forever. This is set in stone for three weeks, after this time, and after our consultation with a dietician and our GP we can start 'challenges.' I haven't read up on the challenges just yet as we're not at that stage. But, basically we can start introducing things one by one according to their 'category'. It's not a simple matter of eating peas and saying an hour later - "No reaction, we can eat peas again," you need to give a certain dose over a period of time to look for reactions. The FAILSAFE diet does not look at allergies, it is not an immediate reaction. Rather it looks at intolerance. Everyone will have a different tolerance level to each chemical and additive.
We need to work out what our limits are and how they effect us. So yes we may not break out in hives from eating a few bananas, but after having one every day for a week, we may find that Thali's eczema flares up. Are the bananas worth the eczema? After eating tomatoes three times a week, we may find Thali's sleep gets difficult again. Is it worth it? That is totally up to us to decide - and to deal with the consequences. Others may not understand the choices and they may not agree. But in the end it is our family, our lives and our home, We need to look after that - not what others think. And if they begin to see a relaxed, easy going Thali, a healthy, bright eyed Rhys, and a happy, energetic me - how can they argue?
If you would like to read a story of someone who has followed the diet and had success you can read Jen's story here http://myfailsafejourney.blogspot.com/2012/01/failsafe-why-do-i-do-it.html
There are also many personal stories on the fed up website listed above.
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