Last week I started a series of articles on weight loss with a discussion of body mass index (BMI) and how having a BMI between 24 and 30 is associated with the lowest risk in mortality. This might come as a surprise given that a BMI of 25 to 30 is considered by the body mass index as being overweight. It turns out that having a little extra makes people live longer. If your BMI is over 30, or you feel better weighing less, then some weight loss in is order.
Conversely, if your BMI is less than 24 consider gaining some weight as mortality risk increases the lower your BMI below 24. There are five general reasons we get overweight: having a slow metabolism, consuming more calories than are burned (which is related to the first reason), genetics, taking certain medications, and eating foods to which your body has an allergy or sensitivity. Today I’ll write about the last cause of unwanted weight: food sensitivity and food allergy.
When you eat a food to which your body has an adverse reaction you may or may not have any overt symptoms. One thing that can happen, however, is weight gain. Foods that your body reacts adversely to can block healthy metabolism, increase metabolic toxins in your body and cause water retention, all of which lead to weight gain. Food sensitivity and weight gain has been recognized by naturopathic doctors for many years however it was Lyn-Genet Recitas who published a book called The Plan in 2013 that first laid out a detailed approach to identifying these foods (special thank you to a patient who recently told me about Recitas’ book).
The general gist is that you eat a hypoallergenic diet for 3 days then gradually reintroduce foods one at a time while tracking your weight. If you gain weight the morning after the day of food reintroduction, or if you have overt symptoms to the reintroduced food, then you have a sensitivity or allergy to that food and it will contribute to weight gain. The Plan approach is somewhat involved and if you are looking for a simpler option you could geta food sensitivity test or follow Dr.
Gaby’s hypoallergenic diet (google his PDF if you're interested) for 10 days then reintroduce one food at a time weighing yourself in the morning. If you gain weight the morning after a food is reintroduced that food is likely trouble for you. Identifying and eliminating food sensitivities is a key step
