If this happens to you, don't be surprised. First of all, this may be the first time you had to give up some of your favourite comfort foods cold turkey. And these favourite foods become comfort foods for a reason: Sugar-laden foods, especially refined carbohydrates, are highly addictive. Your body is actually going through a gliadin-casein-sugar-derived opiate withdrawal.
I've found that a small percentage of people might feel tired, depressed, or even nauseated for about two to five days after they stop eating wheat, dairy, and sugar. They can't exercise and often have headaches. It's the same mechanism as the two- to three-day withdrawals that so many folks experience when they give up coffee.
RELATED: 'I Stopped Eating Sugar And Here's What Happened'
Dr. Davis believes that wheat withdrawal can be quite unpleasant for close to 40 percent of the population. That has not been my clinical experience. Our number has been closer to 10 percent, which is still a substantial number. You may have a friend or family member who has tried to go gluten-free and has told you, "My body must need wheat. It's been 3 days since I've had anything made of wheat, and I feel awful!" This response can be scary. But remember, it's not that the body needs wheat; it craves it. This is just the body craving a toxic substance that it has gotten accustomed to.
Don't worry: The symptoms will disappear quickly. And best of all, the cravings for sugar and wheat will subside, and then you feel wonderful! To lessen withdrawal symptoms:
Stay well hydrated
Stay calm
Start this program when life is not at the peak of stressfulness. Don't begin this new routine the same day you start a new job or end a relationship. Giving yourself permission to launch this new program when you feel comfortable can lessen your body burden and reduce your withdrawal symptoms.
Keep moving
Adapted from The Autoimmune Fix and originally published on Rodale Wellness
