Gluten Free for Me
10:51 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
So my latest fad is to try a gluten-free diet. When in Seattle the other weekend I had a couple conversations with Amy's sister who is on a gluten-free diet. It's not a weight-loss thing. More of a overall health thing. Julie described to me the effects that gluten, which is a protein found in wheat and many grains. Some people are legitimately allergic to gluten or have Celiac's Disease. You need a blood test to determine this. I have not had said blood test and have no idea whether or not my body reacts to gluten. However, many of the symptoms of gluten intolerance are issues that I deal with. Of the following symptoms listed on ezinearticles.com, I have all but the second half of #2 and #10:
1. Stomach Cramping
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Constipation
5. Gas
6. Acid reflux
7. Fatigue
8. Joint Pain
9. Infertility
10. Ulcers
1. Stomach Cramping
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Constipation
5. Gas
6. Acid reflux
7. Fatigue
8. Joint Pain
9. Infertility
10. Ulcers
So I am committing to 2weeks with no gluten. Julie said that was how long it took her to notice a difference. I started on Monday. Boy has it been hard. Gluten is in EVERYTHING. Anything with wheat, rye, or barley (that means no beer); any foods that are breaded, gravy and creams that are thickened with flour, creamed or breaded vegetables, many fruit fillings, malted beverages, brewer's yeast and yeast extract. Then there is a whole list that may or may not contain gluten, such as, get ready because this is a long list: sour cream, commercial chocolate milk and drinks, non-dairy creamers, cheese products, yogurt, butter, meat patties, canned meat (not that I eat a lot of canned meat - eew), sausages, cold cuts, bologna, hot dogs, stew, hamburgers, chili, commercial omelets, souffles, fondue, soy protein meat substitutes, cereals containing malt flavoring, udon, salad dressings, non-dairy creamers, mayonnaise, vegetables with sauces, commercially prepared vegetables and salads, canned baked beans, pickles, marinated vegetables, commercially seasoned vegetables, custards, puddings, ice cream, ices, sherbet, pie fillings, candies, chocolate, chewing gum, cocoa, potato chips, popcorn, commercially prepared soups, broths, soup mixes, bouillon cubes, tomato sauces, meat sauce, mustard, taco sauce, soy sauce, chip dips, curry powder, seasoning mixes, meat extracts, and all medicines.
Eek! But 2 weeks is not a long time. I can commit to that. Because if it true that my body has a sensitivity to gluten, then I may be doing the best thing ever for my body. Or I might just be a hypochondriac.
