Lifestyle Changes – Part Three – Phase 1

We have recently made some more changes to our diet. Back in January 2013 we made lots of modifications to what we eat, but we have just cut out more foods including oatmeal, legumes, organic corn chips, specific fruits (see list below), sweet potatoes, and gum!

It’s amazing to me how many people don’t realize that what they put in their body affects their health. I’m not sure if it’s a lack of knowledge or the lack to even care, but yes it does matter. It impacts our health not just now, but later too! We wonder why so many people are on medications and have physical sickness and pains, but too often instead of fixing the problem, it is masked by surgeries and pills. I’m not saying that 100% of your health problems are affected by what you do or don’t put in your mouth, but I do think a high percentage of it ls. Everything from infertility, cholesterol, heart health, diabetes, allergies, skin issues, sleep disorders… really the list goes on and on. I’m getting off on a tangent a little bit, but clearly it’s a topic I’m passionate about and what I hope is that people take the time to evaluate their personal health issues and their diet to see what they could do to become healthier. I know a lot of times eating is an emotional thing, but when we dig down to the root of the cause, we can become free from that and make it a Godly approach.

All that to say, we are now following the Phase 1 lifestyle by Doug Kaufman. My friend, Kristin, who works on the show and is also a health coach, mentioned this eating plan to me and at the same time a friend at church gave me several books for this same eating plan and I immediately knew it was the direction the Lord was taking us to become healthier. The easiest way to describe it is it’s an anti-fungal and detoxification eating plan. It’s very similar to a sugar detox and in fact I have been able to use (or at least modify) most of the recipes from this book.

The premise of the phase 1 lifestyle is to avoid all foods that contain fungus (ewww, gross). Most of these are foods that contain carbs and sugar, since fungus feeds off of these foods. It’s a diet that eats real and fresh foods, and avoids sugar, grains, gluten, yeast, corn, peanuts, soy, dairy (except grass-fed/organic butter and yogurt), and processed foods. Phase 1 is supposed to last around 30 or 45 days depending on how we are feeling, which will be enough time to starve all the fungus in our body. What happens then? We can move onto Phase 2 by introducing back some foods like sweet potatoes and other fruits. If you want more information on the Phase 1 diet and avoiding fungus and mycotoxins you can read this article. It will make you think twice about what you eat!

Is this lifestyle going to heal us and bring us a baby? No! The only person who can do that is Jesus! Will we become even healthier and continue to prep our bodies to conceive following this eating plan? Yes! I believe so! You might be wondering, “wow you are cutting all that out, what can you eat?” This chart below explains it all!

Is this lifestyle change for you? I don’t know!!! I highly recommend it, but what I recommend first is praying about it and seeing if the Lord gives you a peace about it. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask and if you need some health coaching, my friend Kristin would love to help. I know so many ladies who can relate to her story so I hope it encourages you too!!

Phase-1-Lifestyle

33 Comments
  • Megan Davis
    Posted at 06:44h, 09 July Reply

    Thanks for sharing that chart!

  • Rebecca
    Posted at 08:15h, 09 July Reply

    Wow! This is awesome lady!! So great!! 🙂 I can’t wait to read more- as this looks exactly like what I follow except for the rice part. Just curious to know if you know why rice would be excluded? I know that I have read a ton about how bad rice is for you (especially with arsenic levels here in the United States! YIKES!!) depending on where it is grown but I thought that I had understood that eating organic jasmine rice (grown overseas in certain areas) is ok? Would love to know if you read anything about this specifically as I do still have this in my diet and am always trying to learn? Thanks so much for this info! Can’t wait to read more!!!
    🙂 Rebecca

  • Elisha
    Posted at 08:17h, 09 July Reply

    whew girl! Props to you! I think I would starve! I might have to start out slowly on this or I would be one cranky, hangry hot mess. lol

  • Amie
    Posted at 08:47h, 09 July Reply

    Well I am already doing a lot of this. There are a few things it looks like might be different though like dry-roasted peanuts, black beans and coffee. I may take a look at those things though. Thank you for the chart, that is very helpful!

  • Tania // Run to Radiance
    Posted at 08:48h, 09 July Reply

    There are some great options on that list! Berries, yum! And avocado and lime? You can make a guac or something! 🙂

  • Mia @ MakeMeUpMia
    Posted at 08:50h, 09 July Reply

    We made major changes over the last couple years too, but still splurge sometimes, however I’d like to cut that way back or out too. My dad used to always so “Eat to live, don’t live to eat” and as I get older I appreciate that so much, it’s so true. Everything you eat effects you, I feel so amazing when I’m eating clean. Most people don’t even know how good their body can feel, or is supposed to feel! Thanks for sharing this, I look forward to reading more 🙂

  • Ursula
    Posted at 09:25h, 09 July Reply

    Good for you! I’m a big believer in paying close attention to what we eat. i think it has a huge impact on our moods, our health, our recovery and energy levels. I’m not always the best, but I like to eat well and raw as often as possible.

  • Kelli {A Deeper Joy}
    Posted at 09:45h, 09 July Reply

    This is great info! Man, I wish we could totally live by it. My hubby definitely would not be on board. 🙁 But I do what I can to cut certain stuff out. My problem is mostly time…it takes a lot of time to prepare the correct foods. I need more hours in the day! 🙂 Props to you, Caroline! I look forward to hearing how it affects y’all!

  • Jojo
    Posted at 10:08h, 09 July Reply

    Definitely eating a lot of the allowed foods. Need to work on cuttin out some of the not allowed stuff. Very brave of u.

  • Krystal
    Posted at 12:29h, 09 July Reply

    You have amazing willpower! I would love to to a detox diet and eat more healthy, but I find myself taking baby steps, which I guess it better than nothing. I’m going to look into this diet!

  • Jessah
    Posted at 12:32h, 09 July Reply

    Sounds like a great way to eat whether you’re trying to conceive or not. Hope you feel better with this lifestyle change.

  • Elizabeth
    Posted at 14:27h, 09 July Reply

    Wow! Good for you! This looks like Paleo/Whole30 to me. We did this back in November and I felt great on it! 🙂

  • Emily @ EatLoveProcreate
    Posted at 14:37h, 09 July Reply

    It’s a combination of why people aren’t healthy I think…lack of knowledge and lack of caring. It’s just one big circle though since not knowing anything makes them not care. Anyhoo, I’m glad you do! The chart looks great and actually not that difficult. I think I’d have a hard time limiting to just those fruits, but other than that it’s totally doable! GL to you and Colby! I bet you are going to feel unstoppable!!

  • Tiffany (A Touch of Grace)
    Posted at 16:41h, 09 July Reply

    I think being informed about what you it is super important. A lot of people just eat boxed food and that’s it. So terrible for you. I hope this change makes a difference! You have to at least feel fantastic eating such a healthy, wholesome diet. 🙂

  • Charity
    Posted at 17:27h, 09 July Reply

    So exciting I bet you will feel even more awesome and your skin will be absolutely more amazing. Let us know how it goes if you lose Any weight and if you sleep better. I may want to try this after the babes are born!

  • Elena
    Posted at 20:17h, 09 July Reply

    Wow!! That’d quite the diet, it actually allows for more than what I thought when I first started reading the post. Best of luck!! You have a lot of self control and are pretty inspiring! I would have a hard time giving up pasta!!

  • Finley
    Posted at 07:18h, 10 July Reply

    Oh no not the sweet potatoes!!!! You are so strong willed with this stuff. Would be great to hear if you notice a shift in your everyday, moods, sleep etc.

  • Joy
    Posted at 07:55h, 10 July Reply

    Dear Caroline and friends – welcome to the Phase 1 club!!! My husband, John, and I have been on a Phase 1 lifestyle (not “diet”) since he started producing Doug’s show about 7 years ago and I can say with all honesty and gratefulness to God that our health is better than ever. The last cold I had was 6 years ago…I have no aches or pains, no need for any medication and lots of energy – and I’m in my 60’s! If anyone thinks they can’t possibly “give up my” – insert bread, sugar, potatoes, popcorn, etc – then that food may be feeding the fungus in your system. My suggestion is to try Phase 1 for a week. What do you have to loose? A pill? A pain? If you do try this eating plan and you feel sick – “flu like” – then YAY for you – that’s the fungus dying off “My people perish for lack of knowledge”! Now you Know the Cause!

  • Kim Adams Morgan
    Posted at 08:50h, 10 July Reply

    I was reading this on my smartphone yesterday but couldn’t comment so wanted to stop back. Glad you posted this. Maybe I have some more eliminating to do. We will soon find out. Thanks Caroline.

  • Caitlin | belong with wildflowers
    Posted at 10:06h, 10 July Reply

    Bravo for making so many healthy changes in your diet + life! And thank you for sharing that chart — it makes clean eating much easier. I was surprised to see how much I already follow this, but I definitely need to cut down on my sugars. My problem is going to be giving up honey. I adore it!

  • Kim Adams Morgan
    Posted at 12:09h, 10 July Reply

    My doctor also just mentioned staying away from fungus and these toxins. I think the Lord is sending me a message.

  • Kristen @ Your Beauty Fix
    Posted at 18:55h, 10 July Reply

    This is really inspirational! I wish I could set guidelines like that for my eating habits. I’d probably end up following it for like a week and then forgetting all about it come the weekend lol

    http://www.yourbeautyfixmag.com/

  • Lisa
    Posted at 19:46h, 10 July Reply

    I love the approach you’re taking AND that you understand that Jesus is the one who’s ultimately in control of whether or not you get pregnant. Do you know Aimee McNew? She’s very active in the IF Twitter circles. She’s a nutritionist, a believer, and has a fantastic blog. Also, she’s a super cool girl. You might want to check her out. http://www.aimeemcnew.net/

  • Jaclyn
    Posted at 20:26h, 10 July Reply

    So, I try to stay away from sweets, breads and milk (i load up on yogurt) as much as possible, but I’ve also heard that women are to eat apples, beets and carrots everyday in order to neutralize our hormones and to cleanse our colons as well. So far I’m just consistent with the apple part..lol

    However, I also worked in cinnamon pills every night – helps with sooo many things (and fertility) – I know I’m not as achy and my menstural cramps have been cut into half – hardly any pain and discomfort – yay! But I’m not sure where any of this falls in this plan…;-) Just thought I’d share! xoxo

  • Melanie
    Posted at 22:38h, 10 July Reply

    So many things I like about this post.

  • jennifer prod
    Posted at 13:39h, 11 July Reply

    i’ve never heard of this diet, but i’m intrigued – heading over to kristen’s page to learn more 🙂

  • Steph @MisplacedBrit
    Posted at 15:50h, 11 July Reply

    I love seeing when people grab a hold of their lives and change them around. I have a huge respect for anyone who succeeds in changing their habits – that’s the biggest battle of all, and you’ve done it!
    This concept is a totally new one to me and was interesting to read about.
    Thanks for linking to the #SHINEbloghop! 🙂

  • Rhonda
    Posted at 21:10h, 12 July Reply

    I would caution you that anytime you completely and abruptly cut something out of your diet, you run the risk of becoming allergic or at least intolerant to that food when you add it back – but I do hope this lifestyle change works for you!

  • Natasha Red
    Posted at 22:21h, 13 July Reply

    Stopping by from A Harvest of Blessing link up. So glad I got to read this. My husband and I have been slowly changing our diet since we found out I was pregnant and now that I am nursing. I’ve had to cut out dairy and most grains, and have noticed a difference! Sugar is the hard part for me 🙁 I would love to do a Whole 30 but am scared! Hope your change goes well!

  • Julie @ Homegrown State of Mind
    Posted at 14:13h, 25 August Reply

    Stopping by from Homegrown State of Mind. This diet is very similar to yeast-free, except with yeast-free you cannot consume any grains, or dairy. But with either diet, it’s so good for the body! I’ve read a bit on your blog about your fertility struggles. I’m hypothyroid and have PCOS, and have had similar blood results as you have. I’m not trying to get pregnant, but I used to not have a period, or have it every two weeks and was very estrogen-dominant. After trying the yeast-free/Paleo diet, ditching the progesterone and birth control pills, and incorporating Evening Primrose Oil capsules and fermented veggies, I now have a period every month, and I feel I’m actually ovulating with every period, where as before, I was only ovulating a couple of times a year. I don’t know if you’ve tried Evening Primrose Oil, but you should. There are no side effects and its all natural. Also, fermented veggies are just good for the gut and your overrall health – they add in good bacteria, and can actually kill off yeast and fungus. I have a post on my blog about how to ferment your own veggies. It’s simple and would still be considered anti-fungus. I hope I can be of some help. My prayers are with you and your husband on sticking to your new diet and achieving pregnancy! 🙂

  • Rebeca
    Posted at 19:38h, 01 October Reply

    Caroline,
    Thanks for sharing this new lifestyle change. I know I need to make some changes in my home. I just don’t know where to start. Also it is easier to do it with a supportive partner. Nonetheless, I know it time to make some adjustments. Something I am surely going to start in prayer and move on from there. Thanks for sharing.

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    Posted at 17:00h, 08 March Reply

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  • Vicky
    Posted at 17:54h, 26 March Reply

    I’ve been doing the AIP diet which is very close to this. I’ve felt so much better in my body!

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