I wanted to write a blog post about my life after the LEAP Dietary Program. It’s been 3 years since I completed the LEAP ImmunoCalm Dietary Program in 2017. I can’t believe it’s been 3 years! I thought it was time to give my readers an update about my health journey since a lot has changed after I wrote A Dietitian’s LEAP Journey blog post.
Before I began, here’s a summary regarding the LEAP dietary program.
What is LEAP?
LEAP (Lifestyle Eating and Performance) ImmunoCalm® Dietary Program was developed by an interdisciplinary team of registered dietitians, physicians, immunologists, and other health professionals to treat health problems linked with food sensitivities. This dietary program is designed to reduce the level of inflammation and symptoms as quickly as possible. LEAP isn’t a DIET. I repeat LEAP isn’t a diet. A patented blood test determines which foods are safe to eat to improve your health.
Are food sensitivities the same as food allergies?
Food sensitivities are quite different from food allergies. Food sensitivity refers to difficulty in digesting certain foods or chemicals and can affect every organ in the body. Food sensitivities can be caused by not eating well, unbalanced gut flora, chronic stress/severe trauma, genetics, overexposure to chemicals.
Food allergies trigger the immune system and overreact to a harmless food protein– an allergen. In the U.S., the eight most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Food allergies are serious and sometimes life-threatening.
Chronic Health Complaints from Food Sensitivities
- Digestive problems (bloating, pain, gas build-up)
- Headaches and migraines
- Joint and muscle pain
- Tired all the time
- Fluctuating weight
Reasons I decided to try the LEAP dietary program
There were 3 reasons why I decided to try the LEAP dietary program.
- Constant hair shedding resulting in breakage
- Acne
- Fatigue
How the LEAP dietary program has changed my life
Three years later my hair is thicker and no longer shedding excessively. I also found out I was vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency may cause hair loss. I started taking vitamin D3 supplements daily and continue to take vitamin D3 1000 IU every other day. This blog post Are You Vitamin D Deficient? goes more into detail about vitamin D. I occasionally have a few blemishes once a month. Not as often as I did before the LEAP dietary program. Thank goodness. I also have more energy and no longer take naps.
I take my time reading the ingredients on packages selecting whole, minimally processed foods. I eat a variety of foods every week, to support a healthy microbiome and provide a nutrient dense diet. I choose different vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds so I won’t develop new food sensitivities. Overall, I feel great! The LEAP dietary program was one of the best health decisions I’ve made.
Foods I rarely eat now
I rarely eat these foods or avoid them altogether because my body continues to react to them.
- Dairy products (milk, ice cream, yogurt). I do eat cheese though.
- Rice except for wild rice which isn’t rice but a species of grass.
- Corn
- Wheat
- Caffeine
- Quinoa
- Onion
I’m a Certified LEAP Therapist!
After completing the LEAP dietary program, I decided to help other food-sensitive individuals improve, or even eliminate, their chronic health problems. I became a Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) in 2018 and have personally witnessed my clients:
- Reduce abdominal pain and bloating
- Reduce back and joint pain
- No longer have headaches or migraines
- Lower their blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose lab values
- Lose weight
The best part is learning how to transition to a simple long-term healthy eating pattern. LEAP is an individually personalized dietary wellness program I will use for the rest of my life.
Hey! Don’t suffer in silence. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, set up a complimentary phone call with me http://nathanielp47.sg-host.com/set-appointment/ to find out if the LEAP ImmunoCalm® dietary program is right for you.
Nutritionally Yours,
Jerlyn
