Swank Diet - yes or no

[jen673]

It's been awhile since we've discussed the Swank Diet.  I'm curious how those of you who are on it or have been, are doing?  Is it worth it or not.  I'm not a good dieter and curious about it.  I would love to hear what you all think!  

Thanks,
Jeny

[jen673]

Thank you all for for responding!  It's so helpful to hear others are dealing with this.  Gets me thinking and gives me ideas.  I have minor symptoms and no balance or walking problems.  I really wondered if I changed my diet now if it would keep on the same path.  I do done right things like exercise but have poor willpower when it comes to food.  Not to mention I have 3 kids and a husband to feed.  It's very hard to eat right when they are munching on snacks! Lol. I definitely feel the need to try harder.  

I appreciate all your answers ;)

Jeny

[Guitar_grrrl]

I agree with DV re:diet/disease.  I did start eating a la Terry Wahls (Paleo/Primal/Caveman) back in March.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

I lost weight, and gained a little energy.  My biggest positive result of all of this is my digestion has never been better!  So basically, I eat only grass-fed meats from my local rancher, pastured eggs, fish, veggies, fruit, and just a few nuts.  No grains (period), no dairy, no sugar.  I'll make a flourless almond and berry cake sweetened with a little honey for a special treat. I like a glass of red wine with dinner.

I personally think Dr. Wahls is enjoying a really good remission, and I generally have a hard time with folks using their fortune/misfortune to achieve personal/financial gain.  This also goes for Jelnic, Swank, Monteil, and any of those others.

We all eventually find our dietary "path".  What's right for one, may not be right for another.  My sister has Lupus, and has gone completely Vegan, after reading _The China Study_.  Completely on the opposite side of the spectrum from me, but we honor each others' choices with cookbooks, etc.

[doublevision1]

.....con'd


I love all snacks, sweet and salty, so avoid having them in the house.  Ice cream or chocolate is usually what I'll have for a treat.  I love to bake but don't do it often as I have very little willpower around cookies, brownies, etc.  

I agree that no diet guarantees no disease, but a poor diet and/or being overweight increases the risk for many diseases incl heart disease, many cancers, diabetes, etc.  As well, these factors make coping with most diseases more difficult.  In MS, being overweight can make it more difficult to cope with symptoms like fatigue and impaired mobility.  When I stray from my typical eating habits, as when I'm not getting enough exercise, I very soon start feeling terrible.

[doublevision1]

Eating nutrient dense foods from all of the food groups, not consuming an excessive amount of calories per day, and keeping empty calorie snacks to a minimum is probably the best approach for overall health.  I don't believe the claims of the Swank diet, and know many who tried it without benefit, but note there are some in this group who are on it and swear by it.  Hopefully they will chime in.  

I cut down on mammal meat by about 95% six months ago and lost a few pounds as a result.  I dont miss it much, and the longer I go, the less I want it.  I eat mainly chicken, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and whole grains bread and cereal.  I never drank milk but do eat cheese and Greek yogurt.  I have one glass of red wine with dinner a few nights per week on average.  I had switched from reg to diet soda years ago but recently cut out soda altogether when I learned of the neg effect of diet soda on blood sugar.  Also because soda is so acidic and my teeth are fairly porous, and I already take in a lot of acidic foods with wine, vinaigrettes, Mediterranean style cooking, etc.  I love bread but try to limit it to a few times a week.  I usually drink 2 or 3 cups of coffee per day, milk/no sugar.  I try not to exceed 1500 calories per day, though I'll eat more more on days I get a really good work out in.  For supplements, I take a multi-Vit, Vit D, calcium, magnesium, Omega 3.  

[HVAC]

I followed a high glutothione diet, lots fresh vegetables and fruits and no processed, for a few years. I was doing it for over all health. Not sure how that works since I got cancer while on it. I had to stop it not because it was hard. My cancer made it difficult to eat most foods. I am getting back on it now that my cancer is a bit better. I find making slow changes works for me. I started cutting things out slowly and replacing them with fresher food. I find I like fruits and vegetables much better than cakes and such when I eat them regularly. Snack are super sweet or salty.

I do not believe in any diet as a cure. I do like to have something in my control. My diet and exercise make me feel like I have more control. Now with cancer I have more reason to think before I eat. But as I said I am not disappointed I got cancer with a good diet because I do not feel any diet can cure cancer or MS.

Alex

[zoefromsussex]

I'm not on the swank diet and I'm not convinced it helps (just my opinion!) I eat a vegan diet, barely any gluten etc, don't smoke take exercise and none of that eases my ms. I think maybe the diet would be more effective for people who ate a terrible diet beforehand or for those who strongly believe it works.
Like I say though, that's only my opinion! Ps, I've also been taking supplements I've been recommended by can't say I've noticed any benefits from those either!

[Ojibajo]

I tried the Swank Diet and found if very hard to stick to. I would forget all of the things that I am not supposed to eat on it and end up eating them.

I have basically started eating healthier. I don't expect it to cure me or anything, but I definitely think that I can make things a lot easier on myself if I don't have to also deal with illnesses related to morbid obesity. I'm down about 20 pounds, hopefully I'll keep losing.

I have almost given up Coca-cola habit. I've gone from several a day to a couple a week. I eat a lot more fruit & vegetables, and have drastically reduced my intake of bread products. Most of the meat that I eat is now poultry, although we had ham for Thanksgiving. I may not feel like my old self completely but I definitely feel a heck of a lot better than I did a year ago.

[maxthecat43]

I was on a very similar diet for three years (no dairy, no gluten, lots of veggies, and fruits-etc.)- although I didn't know I had MS at the time.  I was just trying to be healthy.  I cannot say if it had any positive effect or not.  I had my worst ever attack during that time- and I have significant permanent disability as a result.  Who knows though, I may have had a much worse attack or maybe more of them...  if I hadn't been on that type of diet.  

I've definitely had more relapses, since reverting to the Standard American Diet...  Thanks for the question.  It's got me thinking about my diet again.

Tammy

[Tashenoir]

Not actually "swank diet", but here's what I'm doing, and it has helped with energy, balance, and tingling.  Juicing daily, fruits, veggies, whatever combo sounds good to you.  I buy organic at a farmers market, the prices are lower than regular produce in the grocery store.  I eat raw eggs from a farmer, no antibiotics.  ( note: birds and pigs are never given hormones, they don't effect these animals).  I eat a little meat, I get it from a cattle rancher, no growth hormones, grass fed, free range, no antibiotics, healthy, happy (until slaughter day) cows, lamb, and chicken.  I get my milk from a dairy farm, they have deliveries to areas throughout my area.  The milk is straight from the cow.  Not pasteurized, no antibiotics or growth hormones.  I LOVE these cows.  They are the sweetest creatures you ever met.  :)

I eat a lot of salads, and I'm introducing a new multivitamin liquid to my diet next week.  It was designed for children with autism, for maximum absorption of all vitamins plus extra B's, D's, and folic acid that gets through the blood brain barrier.  Because autism is an auto immune disorder, I'm going to try it.  It has shown to help kids with autism, and their families.  Now others are starting to try it.  

So, that's where I am.  I try to keep all bread, crackers, pretzels, gluten free.  It's not really hard.  The first 3 days are the hardest, then it starts to be easier.

I am trying to maintain mobility, and stay off the MS drugs.  I've been on all A,B, and C drugs, TYSABRI, and immunoglobulin .  Was in a trial 2 years ago, took 4 days of high dose chemo to wipe out my immune system.  I have been drug free since then, my symptoms were starting to return, so, I believe "clean " eating is the way to go.

Thanks,

Steph