Eating Gluten Free

Last week, I wrote about how I discovered my gluten intolerance. This week I wanted to talk about learning to eat gluten free. There is definitely a learning curve, like any lifestyle change.

The first month I ran out and got every thing gluten free that I could get my hands on bagels, rolls, pretzels, cereal, crackers, cookies, etc. I had that thinking of "if its gluten-free then its good for me." Not the case. As a matter of fact, some of the gluten free food is actually less nutrient dense than regular food as the manufacturers don't enrich everything with added vitamins like they do with regular food. Also just because it is gluten free doesn't mean you can eat MORE of it!

So the first month after being gluten free I still felt like crap.

In October I signed up with Jillfit.com for my first fat loss plan. No gluten there. Protein, veggies and healthy carbs. It took me a few weeks to find my stride with the plan but once I got it I FELT GREAT!! Clean healthy food. No processed food. I was thankful to Jillfit for helping really get into the groove with gluten free eating. I do eat the processed gluten free food some times on treat meals (gluten free pizza) or special occasions (gluten free cupcakes/cookies). I am happy to have my diet shifted from processed food and carbs to fresher whole foods. In learning to eat this way, I feel so much more stable, have more energy and less food binges. Plus I feel healthier and I am about 20lbs lighter.

It drives me crazy to hear about people going gluten free to lose weight and then they stock up on all the processed crap that they normally eat but its gluten free. That doesn't help any one. There is nothing magical about pretzels, chips, bread, cake and pizza that is gluten free. It has just as many calories, if not more than the regular version.

Any one could benefit from eating more whole foods. Foods with 5 or less ingredients.

Negotiating all of this does take time to learn and get used to. Find a dietitian or diet coach who can help you. Find support while you are making this change. There is no reason to feel frustrated and on your own. Many people have made the switch to a gluten free lifestyle and are usually happy to share information and help you along the way.

I am one of those people. Please let me know if you want any more information.

In honor of Celiac Awareness Month

May is Celiac Awareness Month. In honor of this awareness month, I thought I would share my story about gluten. I do not have Celiac's Disease...at least I don't think that I do. I am gluten intolerant. Here is how I figured that out.

It all started at the beginning of 2010. I decided for once and for all I would figure out my depression and fatigue issues. For years I had been struggling with depression with out any real cause to point to. I had been depressed previously but had clear life situations that I could point to and say.. yep.. that is making you REALLY unhappy. However, I did not have any of that going on. I had a great job, great relationships, no money concerns and no chronic health problems (that I knew of!). It really bothered me to wake up sad and unmotivated. I also struggled with what I referred to as mind bending fatigue. Tired when I first got up, regardless of how much sleep I had. Needing a nap in the day. Tired all the time.

First, I started with a therapist. I am a big supporter of therapy..for every one. We all have issues to work through and need a trusted person to help us see what we cannot or examine the things we would rather avoid. After several sessions, I realized I just did not have that much to talk about. No huge things in my life that I was not dealing with.

Next, I went to a nutritionist. I got off all my pills - anti-depressants and birth control - not my thyroid pills of course. I wanted to clean out my system and start from scratch. I tried several different approaches with nutrition including a several week cleanse of all things gluten, dairy, corn and other foods associated with inflammation. I didn't really feel that much better.

Next, off to an endocrinologist. I wanted to see if he could take a closer look at my hypothyroidism in a way that my family physician could not. He ran some blood tests. Thyroid levels were "ideal" and the only thing that seemed a little off was my liver enzymes. He wanted to run more tests. I asked him this time to please run a test for celiacs disease. The gold standard for celiacs testing is a biopsy of your small intestine. However, there are blood tests that will give good indications of the condition. Thankfully he was open to running that test. I came back off the charts in all of the immunoglobulin tests that you run for celiacs. I found out ON my 38th birthday. I still had birthday cake that day as I figured one more meal wouldn't do that much more damage.

While the doctor refers to it as having celiacs disease, I am not sure that I really agree with that as I have no gastro-intestinal reactions to gluten. In doing more reading and talking to people I think I fall into the gluten intolerant group. Gluten intolerance/sensitivity shows up in many different ways. For me, it makes me depressed and tired. Many people when they give up gluten have immediate positive reactions. My mom experienced a pretty radical transformation in giving up gluten. I describe my change as a slow gradual ascent. The depression is gone. The fatigue is better but still present and still harsh at times.

I do feel really bad when I do eat gluten. I had some frosted sugar cookies over Christmas. The next day I could hardly get out of bed and was overly emotional.

I wanted to share my story in case it helps any one else get diagnosed.

I will perhaps share later on about how it is to live gluten free.

Let me know if you have any questions!