Over the past two years or so, I've been struggling with keeping my stomach happy and healthy. It seems as if everything that I eat makes me feel terrible. Finally, over Christmas break, I'll be spending my time in the doctor's office trying to figure out what's going on inside of me.
Going gluten-free has been in the back of my mind for some time now. But I don't want others to see me as someone that is just following the gluten-free trend. So, I talked with a few gluten-free bloggers to hear what they had to say.
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Gluten is a protein found in barley, rye, wheat, and most processed foods that the average person would consume daily.
For those with Celiac Disease, when gluten is consumed, it causes damage to the small villi of the small intestine when it comes in contact with gluten. Joint pain, bloating, anemia and constant fatigue are just a few symptoms that one may experience if their body cannot process gluten, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.
For April Peveteaux, writer of “Gluten is my B*tch” blog, she experienced severe reactions before going gluten-free in 2011.
“Constant diarrhea, weight loss, joint pain, skin problems and fatigue. Most of those symptoms disappeared
when I went gluten-free,” said Peveteaux.
Reacting negatively to gluten is not always a sign of Celiac Disease, though.
Danielle LeBlanc, blogger at “Poor and Gluten Free,” said she was diagnosed as gluten intolerant after going through several tests.
“I had hives on my back and lost a fair amount of weight. I was extremely lethargic with brain fog and inability to focus, and had constant abdominal upset and pain,” said LeBlanc. “But I tested negative for Celiac Disease.”
So, is gluten-free the new trending diet to sweep the nation?
LeBlanc said, “A lot of people assume that gluten free is healthier and will help them lose weight, but that’s not necessarily true. There are all kinds of gluten-free doughnuts and cakes that are laden with sugar and starches,
and aren’t any better for you than the regular stuff.”
For Peveteaux and LeBlanc, it’s not about losing weight; it’s about feeling well, but the popularity of the gluten- free lifestyle is much appreciated by those that are gluten-free for health reasons.
“Things are infinitely better for celiacs and gluten intolerants now than they were just five years ago -- in truth, for the sake of those of us who can’t have gluten, I hope it stays in the spotlight for a long time, as it’s helped to expand our options and increase awareness,” said LeBlanc.
“On the downside, it’s also created a stigma that we’re high-maintenance and probably just going gluten-free to lose weight. So some restaurants and people don’t take it very seriously if you say you’ll get sick.”
As LeBlanc mentioned, the popularity of gluten-free foods is making it easier to live without gluten. Grocery stores now have aisles devoted to gluten-free products and restaurants now feature regular menu items in gluten-free form. Starting a gluten-free lifestyle can be difficult for many.
Peveteaux offered her advice for those that are just moving gluten out of their diets.
“Give yourself time to be upset about everything you’ll be missing, then get to work making yourself happy. Finding a delicious substitute for something you miss will go a long way in making you feel ‘normal’ again. “Find ways to get creative with it!” said LeBlanc.
Buying plenty of fresh and local produce to include in unique dishes helps keep a new diet exciting. LeBlanc finds inspiration in foreign dishes.
“I like to experiment with staple foods from other countries. A lot of people around the world live on much smaller food budgets than we do in North America. Asian stir- fries, South Asian curries, and Middle Eastern dishes all have an array of naturally gluten free dishes worth trying and modifying.”