Gluten Rant

I am so tired of everyone having an opinion of those who choose to maintain a gluten-free diet!

Do you know why we might do it?

For me the reasons are really simple. I feel so much better when I don’t eat it.

Have I been tested?

Well…other than having an acupuncturist, who worked with me on my allergy issues for well over a year, tell me my muscles get weaker when exposed to wheat, among other things…then no.

How did I come to be gluten-free?

I did some online research about the effects of gluten on the bodies of those that are sensitive or allergic on the advice of my husband. What I discovered was that I showed enough signs that it was logical to try a gluten-free diet, and see if my body felt any different. Being a scientist, this seemed like a no-brainer, I would test out my hypothesis on myself and draw my own conclusion as to whether I should avoid gluten or not.

Was it hard to go gluten-free?

Going gluten-free was actually really easy for me, I eat healthy anyway and don’t eat a lot of bread or pasta on a regular basis.

The hardest thing for me to give up was Dave’s Killer Bread, the one in the green package with all the seeds. Food of the Gods I swear!! 🙁

Of course, I slipped up a few times with soy sauce, and other things that weirdly have gluten added to them even though they don’t naturally contain it (who does that?!?!). Then a year ago Memorial Day weekend, we were staying with family and I had the smallest bite of a soft pretzel. I paid for it for two days with intense gastrointestinal pain and distress, which needless to say, made our get together less than fun for me. We figured out after the fact, that I had been gluten-free for 6 weeks at the time.

So for me the experiment seems clear, and I am frankly not willing to risk trying it again just to “see”.  I’d rather continue enjoy a whole bunch of other foods I never explored before.  Beans are simply amazing, and different squashes make better noodles than pasta in my opinion, so don’t worry yourself that I am missing out by not eating gluten.  I am totally not!

I have one food I miss. But someday, someone will make a gluten-free bread that is just as amazing as Dave’s Green Label, and I am totally fine to wait for that day!

Until then, I will revel in my gluten-free diet, happy with the fact that I feel better and am healthier than I have been in over 20 years.

So you all with your opinions on who can or can’t eat gluten, can shove it!

My diet = my decision.