Grains: Gluten is a protein found in barley, bulgur, couscous, durum, kamut, malt, semolina, spelt, triticale, rye, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ and wheat starch. Gluten has been the center of attention with claims that it is connected to allergies, chronic fatigue, insomnia, autoimmune conditions, ADD, asthma, focus issues, memory loss, headaches, rashes, joint pain, digestive issues and depression, to name a few.

Studies regarding dairy have been mixed. Some list positive health benefits, while other studies have linked dairy products to everything from allergies to obesity, fatigue, mood and more. Milk is 80% casein and 20% whey protein. Casein protein is hard to digest. Some people are lactose intolerant, which means they either lack or have insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which helps your body break down and digest lactose, the sugar found naturally in dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include gas, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea soon after consuming dairy products.

Stress Connection: Both gluten and dairy are hard-to-digest foods. When your body is subjected to stress, your digestive system is compromised. Your stomach responds by turning down its fire, resulting in the inability to break down hard-digesting proteins such as the gluten found in wheat and the casein from dairy. The mucus membranes of the gut become irritated, injuring the villi (tiny, hair- like projections that cover the surface of the gut lining).

Sugar: We recommend avoiding all sources of refined sugar. On this challenge, we are allowing small amounts of raw honey and pure maple syrup only. Sugar is sneaky and goes by many names: fructose, corn syrup, glucose, saccharin, acesulfame K, neotame, sucralose, nutrasweet.