I went to the docs today for my Endometriosis today, and he gave me a list of foods that I needto avoid in my diet, because they can make symptoms worse, which I want to avoid, since I already have stage 4 of this....

FOODS TO AVOID
wheat - this includes breads, cakes and pasta products, all based on wheat
refined and concentrated carbohydrates
sugar, in whatever form, including honey
alcohol
caffeine which is found in tea, coffee, soft drinks
chocolate
dairy produce including all milk and cheese
fried food, margarine and hydrogenated fats
soy products and soy protein - tamari can be used in small amounts
tinned and frozen packaged foods as little as possible
additives and preservatives

Note: Meat, dairy and eggs promote the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.

The Following are things I CAN eat....

FOODS BENEFICIAL FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

beans, peas, lentils
onions
garlic (raw or lightly cooked)
carrots (contain beta-carotene)
live yogurt (good for healthy intestinal flora)
rhubarb
seeds and sprouted seeds
ginger
green tea

HORMONE REBALANCING
Foods containing natural plant sterols can be helpful. They are thought to block the estrogen receptors, so in turn excess estrogen in the body cannot ‘lock-in’ to these receptors.

These include:

peas, beans and pulses
red and purple berries
garlic
apples
parsley
fennel
brassicas: cabbage, cauliflower etc
nuts and seeds
celery, carrots
rhubarb
sage

TO SUM UP

*increase omega-3 fatty acids
*avoid all meat, dairy products, wheat and sugar
*increase fiber
*modulate estrogen
*avoid caffeine and alcohol
*avoid refined foods, e-numbers, additives
*minimize or avoid soy products as they contain high levels of phytoestrogens, and soy contains a particular toxin which seems to be particularly detrimental for women with Endometriosis
*peel fruit and vegetables to remove toxic chemicals
*eat organic produce wherever possible
*drink lots of filtered or mineral water

This is really limiting.....Any suggestions??

Holy cow, is there anything besides vegetables?

I could never do it which is bad because I suspect I may have endometriosis as well. How do you make whole meals with only vegetables? I don't see fish or poultry, does that mean they are ok?

I can have fish, and organic poultry but only small amounts....and not every day...I'm not enjoying this at all....

holy cow!

perhaps if you jump onto the vegetarians thread and cross post, you may get some suggestions as it seems you are pretty much limited to vegetables and legumes.

the things i can think about right now are lentil soup or lentil burgers, bean salads with fresh herbs - you will need to be inventive.

ow - I didn't even know what Endometriosis was, and looked it up - sounds painful! I am sorry!

and the food choices seem so difficult - I would def ask some vegans/veggies what they eat and love. though you can't have soy. I don't envy you. Good luck!

ice cream covered in nuts? yogurt with berries???

check out the boca burger line of products..they have lots of yummy meat alternatives. good luck!

I didnt see if anyone already posted this, so if it's a repeat...ignore it. What about Rice milk? If you have a "natural" store nearby, they usually have people that can point out foods that will follow your dietary requirements. It sounds like you'll have to follow a vegan lifestyle more than a vegetarian (for the most part).

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to be talking to my doc and seeing if I have to do this as scrictly as it says....it seems a little nuts!!!! I know there are certain things like red meats that I shouldn't eat, and I should get organic chicken if possible, but I'd get REALLY bored on this diet REALLY fast....

wow! that's a heck of a diet. I too have endometriosis and had it removed in october..not that it did that good of a job for me .. I've never been put on a specific diet for it nor has one ever been mentioned. I see a specialist also. Hope it works out for ya!

If I were you, I'd just pick a few rules to follow and try to be careful about the others. I cant see anyone sticking to that diet for very long. Good luck.

*hug* wow.

I phoned my doc today, and much to my relief...I don't have to follow this diet 100%, but instead use it more as guidelines of what I should stay away from and what I should have small amounts of etc... THANK GOODNESS!!!!! I was getting a little worried!