Who Knew?

Over the years I have read so many low-carb and paleo books that I should be a complete expert regarding this way of eating. NOT!

So I have not been cheating at all since November 1st. Mid-December I decided to make my very own beloved german red cabbage. I controlled all the ingredients: red cabbage, onions, apple cider vinegar, bacon fat, lard, salt and pepper. I decided not to add apple. Made 8 - 1 cup servings some of which I froze.

I ate 1 cup of red cabbage daily with all my other foods and each day my feet and ankles swelled, I gained 1 lb every day for 5 days, cravings started kicking in and ended up scratching my head trying to figure out what it was about the red cabbage that was causing all these symptoms. After all, it's one of the low-carb darlings as well as blueberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, etc.

Don't know why I waited the 5 days, but then I did 2 - 24 hr fasts eating nothing but eggs, cheese, coffee and cream and dropped the 5 lbs and my feet went back to normal.

Still trying to figure out what triggered the inflammation, I accidently came across a thread on a low-carb board that spoke to Fructose Malabsorption. The poster stated that she had this condition and listed some of the low carb fruits and veggies that contained high levels of fructose.

My red cabbage, onions and apple cider vinegar contain high amounts of fructose to which I am very sensitive: one of the few women that suffers from gout. Was I so naive and dumb that it never occurred to me that veggies could also contain fructose? I guess I was.

I have now properly researched this and compiled a list of fruits and veggies that are low in starch AND also LOW in fructose.

Live and learn!