Written By Brie Minnaar

Testimonials of real people who have seen life-changing results.

Is going lectin-free for you? Here, on our testimonial page, real people share their experiences going lectin-free in their own words. Before and after photos from people just like you. Join us for a deep dive into real people’s lectin-free experiences.

Many people start the lectin-free diet to lose weight, but often find healing in other areas that they didn’t realize was bothering them. When you have felt bad for so long, you accept hurting is a normal part of aging. These people courageously share their stories of reversing the aging process, healing auto-immune diseases, and feeling better than they have felt in years. Will you share your story next?

Here’s what Lea Shearer shared…

“I always thought my RA was tied to my diet. It first surfaced when my son was a year old and we had just returned from a vacation, eating things outside my norm.”

“After having my wedding rings cut off I went and got diagnosed. Numerous pills and infusions later it went into remission for 14 years, returning this time in my knees. I delayed a diagnosis because I was older and overweight but finally went to a doctor. Six months into injections and wearing braces on my knees, I started searching online for alternative things to try when I came across Plant Paradox. Then I started searching for other recipes and found LectinFreeWife.Two years after following a lection free lifestyle my RA was back in remission, I'm down 90 pounds and working out daily. On the few times I've eaten things with lectins my knees remind me that's not my life anymore. Changing to this lifestyle wasn't hard, even living in jalepeno loving Texas.”

Kourtney Herndon shares…

“My name is Kourtney. In 2019 I was suffering for all over body pain. The year before the pain started in my right foot within the following year it was my left foot. I was told to lost weight by my orthopedic doctor to reduce the edema in my feet. By September of 2019 I was experiencing pain in my knees, my hips and the worst pain was in my upper Abdomen and my chest. A trip to the ER to rule out a heart attack or stroke along with Numerous other doctor visit to various doctors for over 3 months trying to figure out what was my issue.”

“By December 2019 after several ultrasounds, Blood test, CT Scans and a MRI I finally had a answer to my dreading excruciating pain. Because I didn’t want to travel 30 miles to my GI doctor I asked if another GI doctor in my area could see me. It was that request that truly change my life. I went into the GI doctor’s office thinking he was just going to write me a prescription to take more medications but he didn’t. He told me food was my medicine. He even went into the history of food and how we use to eat 100’s of years ago. He explained to me what lectins were. I had never heard of lectins. He then told me to read Dr.  Steven Gundry’s book Plant Paradox. He gave me a list of Dr. Gundry’s yes and no food list. I went into my car and broke down crying. I was like “what am I going to eat”. I made up in my mind that I wanted to stop hurting and start living and was motivated to change my eating habits because I wanted to live pain free. I started the lectin free journey because I wanted to live a better life. I didn’t realize it would make me lose weight. That was a bonus for me. Since starting my lectin free journey 2 years ago I no longer have high blood pressure or diabetes. I take no medications and I feel like I am on top of the world.  I went from being 270 pounds to 188. I was wearing a size 22 clothes. I now wear a size 10. I am loving the improved  me!!!”

Allana Pinkerton shares her transformation…

“The lectin-free diet worked for me and I felt the difference within just a couple of weeks. Not only did I lose 65 pounds (in 1-1/2 years), but my aches and pain went away.”

“I used to suffer from arthritis in my knees and fibromyalgia. After going lectin-free, I can honestly say, I don't have fibromyalgia anymore. I sleep better than ever, even if I drink coffee at 6 pm! My bloodwork shows no elevation in my C-reactive protein levels; a test that indicates if your body is inflamed or suffering from underlying conditions. I live lectin-free about 85%-90% of the time. In the past year I was living about 70% and boy could I feel a difference. Not only did I gain back 15 lbs. but my aches and pains returned. Knowing how to jump back to the Lectin-free lifestyle, I am less overwhelmed with decreasing my lectin intake. Admittedly, I just got lazy. You do have to do a lot of your own cooking and prepping foods, but in the long run, it is well worth it! After all, you either pay now or pay later for it. I highly recommend anyone whether you seem healthy or not, give this lifestyle a try. It may prevent health issues in the future.”

Let’s hear from Alicia Grise…

“After 13 months. Down 40 pounds, more energy, less achy joints.”

“ I love running and am able to run longer and at a better pace than ever before. Now, I don't need as much sleep and have much better ability to focus on tasks."

Going lectin-free is so much more than a diet it’s a lifestyle! Check out how it improved real people’s life…

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Let me introduce you to Claudia Curici. Before she shares her story, I’d like to say that Claudia’s work-food blogging and her book, The Living Well Without Lectins Cookbook, have not only inspired me through my own lectin-free journey but have been a monumental resource in starting Lectin Free Wife. If you don’t have this book, go buy it!
Check out Claudia Curici’s website Creative In My Kitchen.

Here’s Claudia Curici story…

“Who doesn't love a before and after? I do for sure, because it shows that it is impossible to work hard on something and not have results. In other words, if you really, truly want something and work for it, it's going to come. It takes time, but everything takes time to change.

On the left is me in June 2017, before i started The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry when I was about 20 pounds (8kg) heavier and as stiff as a board. I was lucky to find a yoga teacher who inspired and motivated me and a method (Ashtanga) that gave me hope that the chronic stiffness I was suffering from can be fixed. But, even though I was very dedicated, realized at one point that I need more answers regarding my health, because yoga alone was not enough. The moment I started to look into food and lifestyle in general and discovered Dr. Gundry was the turning point for me.

Extra weight started to come off, the inflammation was drastically reduced and I started to feel my body was not as stiff as I thought it was. In the process I learnt to be patient and to always search for answers, because things don't work like a magic wand. Sometimes you hit roadblocks even if you feel you are doing everything right, but we don't give up when that happens, we search for more, we tweak, we make things work for our unique bodies and needs.”

When is the last time you felt energized, naturally? Here’s what real people had to say…

Here is what Michelle McCollough had to say…

“I started following Dr Gundry way of eating at the urging of my brother, and with the help of my girls in 2019. Prior to that In 2018, I halfway tried for maybe 3 months before quitting.. The second time my girls came and cleaned out my pantry, fridge and cabinets all based off his yes/no list and I’ve never looked back.”  

“I’ve been diagnosed with PsA, psoriasis, lymphedema (which is a rare side effect of PsA) (also have had an article published in a medical journal about me) and cellulitis. I’ve been hospitalized 14 times from 2014-2018, the first 2 stays were a week long each and I lost 30 lbs of fluid off my legs.”   

“I have always tried to eat healthy and some of what we have to stay away from is very hard, but I truly also believe that this way of eating and lifestyle can be modified and u can learn what u can eat and what u need to stay away from on an individual basis.  I for one will never go back to the way I used to eat.  I feel so very healthy and I exercise, which I never have done… I have lost a total of 110 lbs the last 40 came off when I started eating the Gundry way, and my sed rate and crp levels are in normal  ranges, and previously they were in the 100 range.”

“I hope my story can help or inspire others….”

All before/after images and stories were submitted by the person in the photo. These photos can not be shared without written consent from Lectin Free Wife and the person in the photos. These stories are not a substitute for advise from a medical professional. Always consult with your physician before making any dietary changes.