I have a dear friend who has adopted a child with celiac disease. She cannot eat gluten OR dairy. I remember feeling so lucky that I had made it through 4 adopted children without encountering a food allergy. That seemed like such a hard thing to face! And then about a year ago, my husband, Tyler, started feeling impressed that I should pursue a gluten free diet. I was completely opposed to it. Why would I give up all the glorious foods that include wheat?! And on purpose, no doubt! The idea was absurd. And yet, he has felt prompted by the Holy Ghost for a year now that I needed to make a change. He brought it up again last night, and I was frustrated to hear that topic again. But - I mulled it over and thought about it. Then Tyler told me that after doing some research (one link) he found some symptoms of having a gluten free allergy:
-Infertility (11 years and counting...)
-PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome = I don't ovulate much, if at all)
-Thinned hair
-Hypothyroidism
-Diabetes (I am insulin resistant which is pre-diabetic)
-Abdominal gas (so painful!)
After thinking it over and letting my feelings com through, I realized that Tyler was right - I must have a gluten intolerance. Of course, I will be tested for a gluten allergy by my PCM. But for the time being, I will begin eating a gluten free diet. Any recipes or websites or suggestions are welcome.
9 comments:
I have no idea who the "anonymous" person was who posted the incredibly rude and inaccurate comments on this site, but I find it interesting to note you didn't have the decency to use your name? You must be fighting some serious battles in your life to make such a post. I don't think having gone to a doctor makes you an authority on what people have and what they don't. And last I heard these blogs are more like journaling-who made you the blogging police? If you don't like Jill's blog-then don't read it, but voicing your own incorrect opinions to her was very unkind and unjust. Jill is one of the kindest, most self-sacrificing people I know-and I SHOULD know-as I'm her mother! Mentally ill? I don't think so. And I have the courage to sign MY name. Kris Russell
http://glutenfree-whatcanieat.blogspot.com/
You should realize that gluten tests are not very accurate. Do a google search on that too. If it is gluten, you'll feel significantly better in a little while. I have a blog that is about going gluten free
http://glutenfree-whatcanieat.blogspot.com
I also recommend gluten free on a shoestring and crockpot 365 although I am on someone else's computer with a funny keyboard right now and don't feel like linking, you can search.
Good luck!
We started gluten-free several years ago. Once you start it's easier than you might think, but a little expensive. Grinding your own grains can help. I also recommend teff flour. It is easiest to cook with flour blends and teff adds a great mouth feel as well as iron. Best of luck!
It doesn't hurt to try. I have read some books recently about wheat that make me want to cut back on it too. Go for it!
I like to put oats in the blender to make oat flour. I think bread recipes may require something extra like xantham gum to help it rise better, but other recipes that require just a little flour are okay without the extra stuff. You might look around on-line too for bulk of things like Pamela's baking mix. I think you can get it cheaper on Amazon than buying it at your local store. One thing I would be careful of with the gluten free - several of the products at the store that are advertised as gluten free have extra sugar or fat or other ingredients that aren't healthy for you. So don't just start buying the gluten free products thinking they are healthier for you. Look at the labels. Keep an eye on the grams of sugar and such. Safest thing is to stick with more fruits and vegetables, lean meats, beans, etc. - don't try to just use all the pasta and bread substitutes. (I know you love to make pasta and bread items... Good luck!).
Also, have you tried quinoa? I like it! Like rice, but with protein. And pretty good filler to add to salads. It keeps well in the fridge after you cook it too (as opposed to rice which doesn't taste good the next day). If it's not part of your diet, you should try it.
(((hugs))) Kudos for accepting Tyler's promptings and beginning on this adventure! One thing that jumps out at me right away is that you will have support in your home for this decision and that is a HUGE help!
I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and also Dermatitis Herpetiformis (the skin rash manifestation of celiac) over a year ago and I can tell you that going gluten-free is a tough thing to do. It can be done, but it is tough. I will try to share the recipes and such that I have in an email.
Having a shared kitchen is tough - shared meaning you are working on gluten-free, while the rest of the family isn't (I'm guessing that is how things will be for you). One of the biggest problems with going gluten-free is that the cookware you use (bowls, spoons, pans, skillets, etc) will most likely be holding gluten. Stainless steel cookware is a must. Non-stick cookware can hold gluten, even after it is washed. Wooden spoons, plastic spoons, any of those that were once used in glutened cooking must be avoided when cooking gluten-free. Metal mixing bowls help also. .... It's interesting how much has to be changed when going gluten-free, but it can be a huge help. I have felt some of the effects as I am trying to do the best I can. :)
Again, having support in your home is a huge help, and I'm so thankful you have that! I did not really have that in my home and it has been difficult. Heavenly Father will help you to understand things as you go along as well.
You can do this! Celiac/gluten-intolerance can manifest in over 300 symptoms. It's quite amazing. And things labeled "gluten-free" in the store may NOT be fully gluten-free. It may have gluten less than 20ppm, which they would consider "gluten-free" but it may still adversely affect the individual. Labeling for allergens is not done consistently or with any real guidelines yet. And what Annie said is right - just because it's "gluten-free" doesn't mean it isn't filled with stuff that you shouldn't have... :) Best to become an avid label-reader!
I know that was a lot, but hopefully something helped! :) Love you, my Warrior friend!
Because of 10 years of constant yeast infections which have gone systemic for me I felt prompted to change my diet pretty drastically. I loved cheese, bread and chocolate, but have recently eliminated gluten, dairy, sugar, yeast, soy and corn in order to solve the problem. After five months of this, I have gotten rid of the problem about 70 percent. I have to say that I've loved how I feel on these changes, but have felt impressed over and over again that it's the removal of gluten that has made me feel sooo much better. (Although I have to say that I think eliminating dairy and sugar have had a great impact on me too). I never thought I could do this. I've struggled to even do a simple diet in the past, but I was super motivated to improve my health and get rid of these challenges. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have made these changes. It's hard initially but after a few weeks, it feels really good. I love the "Against All Grains" blog and facebook recipes daily for those going gluten free: http://www.againstallgrain.com/
Some of my favorite gluten free grains are brown rice, wild rice, gluten free oats by Bobs Red Mill, quinoa, buckwheat cereal, puffed millet, brown rice flour, coconut flour. I never feel gross or too stuffed after I eat these grains. It's taken some adapting, but it's been well worth it.
Good luck from another LDS mom.
PS I love the organic brown rice cakes sold at Trader Joes and Sprouts market for me locally (I live in CA - maybe you have an equivalent). I spread almond butter on them for a great treat. There are also wonderful gluten free waffle recipes that I make all the time to fill me.
Check out this blog --
Against All Grain --
http://www.againstallgrain.com/
Fabulous recipes.
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