Every once in a while I just watch my calories and eat foods
that are not very healthy and way off South Beach.
I don't have carb cravings so I can do that one day and
be back on track the next. I figured it was like
going from Core to Flex on Weight Watchers.

I finally realized that if I do this for a day I feel tired and
my joints hurt the next day.

Do you think that means allergies or just that certain foods
and more salt is harder on my old joints??

I don't know if it's allergies or not, but I get this too. I also get bad headaches that I used to think were sinus problems or migraines, but now I suspect it's food allergies.

I don't know if it's allergies or if the off plan stuff I eat just causes more inflammation but I absolutely feel the difference when I go off plan. In fact even now I really can't have more than 1-2 servings of grain a day. Fruit, on the other hand, causes me no problems at all.

If I go off plan, I feel like I'm getting sick. Tired, muscle aches, bloated, headaches, fatigued, you name it. For some reason, processed foods, white flour, and sugar just do that to me.

Your body is yelling at you, " Get back on plan!"

I truly think it is! Like it's saying "Ugh, not twinkies again! Here, take THIS! And some of THAT! And a little of THIS!" And before you know it I feel like crap and have gained 10 lbs from binging.

I retain a lot of water and stomach gets bloated when I go off SB. I don't have a headache so much, but my skin around my back and abdominal area feels tender, like it's full of fluid. Weird, I don't really know how to decribe it, but definitely not good. I have also gotten nauseous and even vomited on occasion.

Allergies have a very specific mechanism of action in the body. Side effect and allergy aren't synonymous - allergy is a type of side effect; lots of side effects are NOT allergies. Sometimes it seems like "allergy" is the cool buzzword, not sure why. Completely non-allergic side effects can be fatal, so it's not like allergies are more valid than side effects. I'd call death pretty valid.

It's certainly useful to know how things affect you. And perhaps our understanding of allergies will also change and grow. Our knowledge of nutrition sure has! I *am* interested in the idea that allergies may involve more than traditionally thought.

End public service announcement

In medicine we call them allergy vs. sensitivity.Many patients refer to drug sensitivities as allergies.You are correct.There is a very big difference.A true allergy can cause anaphalaxis and even death.I would guess bloating, nausea...is more of a food sensitivity.

I went off SB for the weekend because I knew it would be hard to not drink around friends..I tried watching what I ate even though I was drinking, but I still wasn't eating foods on plan...and all I have to say that going back to the food porn has really made me disgusted. I feel lethargic, bloated, and my hands hurt. I feel absolutely disgusting eating so many refined foods and sugars. If this didn't make me realize how good/right SB is for me, I dunno what would. I start back Monday morning and I can't wait!

For me if I eat off plan (simple carbs/refined sugar) I feel like I am hungover the next day. My body retains water... Rings don't fit - my stomach hurts. It's almost mini motivation not to eat off plan...

UGH! YES YES YES... ditto. I TOTALLY BOMBED the holiday weekend! boo on me! I feel bloaty and ugly and icky and tired. waaaa...