To make a long story short, I have started seeing a new doctor in an effort to try and treat some health problems I have been experiencing, despite sticking to my strict gluten free diet (which I have adopted secondary to having celiac disease). (For you curious minds, see this post, which gives you some background knowledge. Certainly not crucial to appreciating this post however!) Among one of these new diagnostic treatments, this doctor suggested I go a solid week without eating soy. Psh, no problem, I think. I am the MASTER at culinary self-denial. Try saying no to anything with wheat, barley, rye, oats, MSG, modified food starch, and other popular food additives. Um, wrong! So very very wrong!
First off, do you have any idea how many things have soy in them? Now, try finding gluten free foods with no soy in them. If it doesn’t have wheat flour, it probably has some soy flour/protein/oil/lecithin.
Now, all health problems aside, I’ve always joked that I am a chocolate addict. Particularly Reese’s. And M&M’s. There is soy lecithin in EVERY chocolate candy I’ve ever seen. So, in turn, I have been going without chocolate in my attempt to stick to my new soy free diet trial. This is kind of what my week of withdrawals looked like (credit to Dr. Grumpy for inspiring me with this post.)
DAY ONE
Pt is pink, warm, and dry. GCS 15. Pulse 80, BP 102/72, respirations 15. Pt has an optimistic and hopeful affect, expressing excitement that this soy-free diet might help relieve pt’s persistent, chronic symptoms, namely nausea x 4 years. Pt arrives at the grocery store to purchase gluten free/soy free foods. Pt found some difficulty in finding foods that stayed within her dietary restrictions, but left the store with several groceries, and in an over all good mood
DAY TWO
Pt is pale, warm, and dry. GCS 15. Pulse 90, BP 120/70, respirations 18. Pt is in mild distress, as pt’s sweet tooth is emerging. Pt searches through cabinets, realizing that the gluten free/ soy free food she purchased the day prior failed to satisfy her chocolate cravings: deli cuts, sesame seed crackers, almond butter, yogurt, applesauce, pears, soups, and a frozen pizza. Pt admits to an addiction to chocolate. Pt states she does not need rehabilitation services “…because I’ve got this under control.” Pt ingests vanilla yogurt in an effort to stave off sweet tooth cravings. Pt reports that this self-treatment has some positive effect.
DAY THREE
Pt is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. GCS 14 (-1 for verbal), pulse 108, BP 128/76, respirations 30. Pt’s continually turns conversation topic towards chocolate. Pt ingests pears and applesauce in an effort to satiate the desire for a sweet taste. Pt states that while this had a positive effect the day prior, the self-treatment is not working as well today. Pt drives to the store and wanders through aisles with a shuffling gait, grabbing food off of shelves and reading ingredient labels for gluten and soy content. When other store patrons approach, pt reacts in a socially inappropriate manner, including shouting, gnashing teeth, flailing arms, standing in an aggressive stance, throwing items with the intent to cause emotional or physical harm to others, and exhibiting fear and paranoia. Other patrons grow alarmed and attempt to avoid the patient. Patient continues to wander aimlessly about the store, checking the ingredients of items, and dropping each gluten- or soy-containing food item to the floor. Pt leaves without any food products.
DAY FOUR
Pt is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. GCS 13 (-2 for verbal), pulse 130, BP 140/86, respirations 36. Pt’s breathing is labored and heavy. Pt appears to have lost interest in maintaining personal hygiene. Pt has torn kitchen apart, with food items and cooking utensils strewn all over the floor. Pt is found sitting on the kitchen floor, attempting to convince her pet guinea pig to create gluten free/soy free chocolate. Guinea pig presented no potential danger to EMS personnel, and appeared to be grateful to be removed from its owner’s presence and relocated to its cage. Pt is complaining of hallucinations involving chocolate bars, cocoa plants, and candies. Pt smiles and giggles without reason.
DAY FIVE
Pt is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. GCS 9 (-1 for eyes, -3 verbal, -2 for motor), pulse 148, BP 154/102, respirations 40. Pt is found lying supine on the kitchen floor, with limbs spread eagle. Pt’s appearance is generally unkempt, wearing the same clothes as the day prior, still appearing to have lost interest in maintaining personal hygiene. Pt has a brown powdery substance about her nose and mouth. An empty box of Nestle cocoa powder is found on the countertop, along with a line of what also appears to be cocoa powder.
Pt insisted that she did not have a chocolate addiction problem. After refusing to check into rehab, pt was turned on to the “Enjoy Life” food company, which specializes in producing food for patients with multiple food allergies. Pt has since supplemented her diet with regular self-administration of chocolate chip cookies to regulate pt’s BCL (blood chocolate levels). Pt has since been doing better, with vitals returning back to a normal range, and GCS returning to 15. Pt vows to never go so long without chocolate again.
(Disclaimer for those who aren’t very good at identifying sarcasm/satire: I have never, do not currently, and have no plans to snort chocolate powder. Also, it comes highly recommended that you don’t try it either.)
FWIW I think people usually consider soy lecithin to be a minimal allergen contributor… I have a (modest) soy allergy and don’t sweat it at all.