Finding Balance

Visiting the Mayan ruins in Tulum Mexico.

Finding balance with the low nickel diet is an ongoing journey. In the USA where I live, almost every fruit and vegetable – both organic or non-organic – is sprayed with some sort of pesticide. Most pesticides, even the “natural” ones, contain nickel.

I don’t stray from the low-nickel diet very often. About once a month I’ll eat an arugula salad and 1-2 times a year I’ll eat peanut butter and chocolate. Otherwise, I consistently try and do limit my intake of foods higher in nickel. 

Last month I enjoyed a fabulous five day vacation to an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico. It was all I could eat, at any hour. I ordered room service for the first time. Incredibly nearly all the restaurant menus identified entree ingredients or  alternatively I created my own selection from the buffet.

Indulgence is an understatement. Eating everything I desired, I still avoided soy, nuts, chocolate, whole wheat, raspberries and pineapple. I also drank so much water and the Caribbean humidity caused me to sweat constantly. Surprisingly I didn’t experience any eczema while I was there or when I returned home.

I have no idea how the food is treated in Mexico, especially raw food served at resorts, but part of me wants to believe that it might have less pesticides and therefore less nickel…but I’m not sure that’s accurate. Nonetheless, I felt refreshed, healthier and enjoyed celebrating life!

4 comments
    1. Hi Alison,
      Thanks for your comment. No, I haven’t yet traveled to Europe on the low-nickel diet. I have traveled there prior to my diagnosis. If you travel there, I hope your visit is fantastic and you’re able to find balance on the low nickel diet too!
      Warm regards,
      Christy

  1. Christy, I am an eczema patient and have tried hard to identify the root cause to no avail. I am on a low nickel diet and have difficulty in managing the eczema. Have you explored healing your gut could heal eczema? I tried coffee enema but it did not help. Appreciate your thoughts on healing the gut to cure eczema.

    1. Hi Steven,
      Thanks for your comment. I haven’t done anything specifically for my own gut health, other than acupuncture. The acupuncturist will focus on my gut to treat my eczema. I’ve also heard from others who’ve found using probiotics helpful to reducing or remedying their eczema. The low nickel diet and working to reduce stress in my life is the best way I’ve found to reduce my eczema flare ups.
      Warm Regards,
      Christy

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