I learned something valuable that I wanted to share.

My doctor put me on a WFBPD and I started it on 6/1/2024. She put me on it due to gastrointestinal issues that include IBS and somewhat possible Crohn's. She thought it would calm my small and large intestine.

The benefits since then have been losing 30 lbs, elimination of arthritis pain, and more energy. Also, my cholesterol plummeted. The gastrointestinal discomfort wasn't completely resolved but it was more mild and digestion had improved.

We went on a cruise from 12/2 through 12/18. My doctor basically told me to cheat on the cruise and to get back on the diet when I returned. She reasoned that it would be very difficult to follow the diet on the ship.

I have been dairy free for over 2 years because it became obvious that I'm extremely lactose intolerant at minimum and possibly allergic to or intolerant of other components in milk. So, that was a non-negotiable on the cruise.

I did my best to avoid any dairy. I did drink alcohol and eat meat, fish, and eggs. The food and booze were wonderful but...

Within days of eating everything else but dairy, my gastrointestinal issues gradually returned. I had very loose stool, bad smelly gas, bloating, cramps in my gut, pain in my gut, and mild arthritis pain. I reasoned that some of the things I had eaten like sautéed veggies and meat with sauces had stealth dairy. But, I did ask and was assured that my choices were dairy free. So, I'm not convinced that my symptoms were only because of dairy.

I gladly went back to my WFPBD upon return on the afternoon of 12/18. Even in these very few days back on WFPBD, my digestion has improved and I have fewer aches and pains. The bloating went away. I still have some cramping but the cramping never completely resolved after 6 months of following a WFPBD before I went on the cruise. The cramping pre-cruise wasn't entirely constant and was mild.

In addition, I actually missed "my food" on the cruise and craved the things I had been eating on the WFPBD. I found that meat, fish, and eggs are not worth the gastrointestinal distress and arthritis pain they caused. I honestly don't miss eating animal products.

So, lesson learned. I'm sticking to a WFPBD for life. It's what is best for me. This experiment taught me about what I should be eating for my own optimal health and comfort.

Will I have an occasional Scotch, glass of wine, cognac, etc.? Possibly. But until things calm down more, alcohol will remain out of bounds for consumption for me. I was never a bit drinker anyway.