Gluten free.......better late than never.

[nobodyslave]

I'm not sure if I sould post this here or on the "life without bread" thread? My apologies if I got it wrong.

I have recently discovered the digestive and neurological symptoms I have been experiencing may have been a result of gluten intolerance.

I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago with irritable bowel syndrome, which I have learned to live with, but the last four months the symptoms increased significantly. Also, within the last two years I have been experiencing what I can only describe as brain zaps. A kind of electric shock sensation coming from the right side of my head running into the top right part of my chest and down my right arm. Just like an electrode placed on the skin and the voltage turned way up. I have seen my GP and a Neurologist who aren’t really sure of the cause. I recently had a CT scan on my brain which thankfully the results were clear, so my neurologist has recommended I have another scan on my neck to rule out any causes there, but the guess work, and the testing process is getting expensive.

So I did what I usually do when I’m strapped for answers, I did some investigating, and it didn’t take long for me to discover that gluten can be a cause of neurological symptoms similar to these electronic shock sensations, and not only that but Irritable bowel syndrome is also a sign of gluten intolerance. I also discovered that depression is also another symptom (Have been suffering from this since my teens). My younger sister is celiac, so I am not a stranger to the effects that gluten has on certain people, however my ignorance of my own eating habits had me completely oblivious to the effects it was having on me.

I do enjoy my food, so the idea of cutting out foods containing bread and sugar wasn’t something I was prepared to do, in other words I wasn’t ready to let go of that particular sacred cow. However my body was not going along with my unhealthy eating plan. So after some more investigating on the subject, I cut out gluten to see if it would make any difference, and boy did it ever!!

I have now been eating gluten free for the last four weeks, and have also cut way down on sugar and dairy, and I can only say that I have never felt better, not to mention the rapidly deflating “spare tyre” around my waist. My fear of losing the foods I enjoyed was utterly crazy, as I am still able to enjoy eating as much as ever. Actually I enjoy it even more now, as I don’t have to run to the bathroom after every meal, and I certainly don’t miss feeling bloated. In the past, my stomach would blow up so much that my kids used to joke that they were going to have a baby brother or sister that very day. The “brain zaps” are still occurring occasionally, however I can barely feel them now.

The only obstacle I have encountered during this process is finding gluten free foods when I am out and about. Has anyone here had the same trouble?

I was shopping with my kids last weekend, and we decided to grab a bite to eat as we hadn’t had lunch, and we were all pretty hungry after walking around the shopping centre. I approached every food outlet within the food court, asking if they had any gluten free options on their menu, well the response I received was astounding. Most responded with a firm “no”, and others just looked at me like I had two heads. I did notice most had halal foods as an option, but nothing for those with food intolerance? The only thing I could find was sushi.

Since my discovery, I have purchased some paleo recipe books, as well as Primal Body Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas. I have cut out alcohol, and become an advocate for all things gluten free. I even have discussions with anyone who shows an interest on the symptoms of gluten intolerance. I struck up a conversation with the checkout operator at my local supermarket yesterday, as she commented on a particular (gluten free) food item I had purchased. I mentioned the reason for my dietary change and listed a few of my old symptoms, to which she replied, “I get the same feeling after I eat”. I also mentioned that gluten can also cause depression, and she replied with; “I get that too, maybe I should try going gluten free”. My response to her was; “can’t hurt, I’ve never felt better”.

So why didn’t I do this sooner? I can only put my procrastination to change my diet down to my ignorance of my own condition, although I knew my diet had to change (let’s face it, it wasn’t healthy), but the fear that I wouldn’t enjoy my food as much held me back. Surprisingly the transition has been easier than I thought, although educating certain friends and family on what I can and cannot eat, has been tricky, especially when we go over to my in-laws for dinner. For example I told my mother in-law that I am still able to eat meat, so she bought some crumbed lamb cutlets for dinner…… Bless her for trying, but I should have been more specific.

I am gradually changing my kids eating habits, I have explained to them why I can only eat certain foods, and have cooked many gluten free dinners for them to try. Expecting a chorus of objections, I was pleasantly surprised to find not only empty plates, but on one occasion they asked if there was any more. I can still cook some of my old meals; all I have to do is substitute certain ingredients. I am looking forward to trying out some new paleo recipes, although I will try the easiest and quickest first, as time is usually a factor in our household.

I hope this post is helpful to anyone contemplating a gluten free lifestyle, it’s amazing how just one aspect of change can make a huge difference to not only my previous symptoms, but my mood which has also improved, I feel like shouting from the rooftops…… :D

 

[RedFox]

That's really great news nobodyslave!!

The only obstacle I have encountered during this process is finding gluten free foods when I am out and about. Has anyone here had the same trouble?

Well the answer may sound obvious but it did take me some time to 'get it'. Simply prepare food (when making breakfast or the evening meal the night before) to take with you when you go out, or just prepare it in advance anyway if you tend to go out on the spur of the moment.
My general rule of thumb is if I'm going to be away from the house for more than 3 hours I take food and water.

As to what to take - bacon is the simplest option (with some pre-slices butter so you don't have to bring utensils - just paper towels), if you guys tolerate them chicken wings are good too. Think picknick and perhaps try and find somewhere nice to eat (like a park rather than the shopping centre). :)

 

[Laura]

And do read ALL of the Life Without Bread thread and the recommended books.

 

[seek10]

The only obstacle I have encountered during this process is finding gluten free foods when I am out and about. Has anyone here had the same trouble?

You are not alone in this. Many people went through this. As Laura mentioned , please read the 'Life with out bread' thread.That's a wonderful Journey. some times I recollect the Journey , it is a awful experiment that not yet ended .

Initially started with taking Vitamins, then getting rid of wheat ( to become gluten free), then going to brown rice inplace of white rice , then removing all grains , then using buckwheat, then stopping the buckwheat , then follow paleo diet ( fat and animal foods), then remove all the animals that eat grains. High Fat paleo Diet , is where it stands.( not all part of that thread though ). Know that every one's body little different though.

When I go to super store( once a while), heck, I can't find not even a single thing that I can eat or feel interested to eat despite the attractive package. Good thing I don't feel hungry either. But my kids will be begging me to buy that or this, I feel very sad to say No, feel more sad to know that 'their mother any way will feed them the same thing'.

 

[ScarletBegonias]

The Gluten Traps thread would also be a good one for you to look at, nobodyslave, if you haven't read it already: http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,23698.0.html

 

[nobodyslave]

Hi All, Thank you for your responses,

That's really great news nobodyslave!!

The only obstacle I have encountered during this process is finding gluten free foods when I am out and about. Has anyone here had the same trouble?

Well the answer may sound obvious but it did take me some time to 'get it'. Simply prepare food (when making breakfast or the evening meal the night before) to take with you when you go out, or just prepare it in advance anyway if you tend to go out on the spur of the moment.
My general rule of thumb is if I'm going to be away from the house for more than 3 hours I take food and water.

As to what to take - bacon is the simplest option (with some pre-slices butter so you don't have to bring utensils - just paper towels), if you guys tolerate them chicken wings are good too. Think picknick and perhaps try and find somewhere nice to eat (like a park rather than the shopping centre). :)

Thanks for the suggestions RedFox, I know it's about getting better organised and making a conscious and consistant effort. It's definitely a learning process for me.

And do read ALL of the Life Without Bread thread and the recommended books.

Thanks Laura, yes getting through the LWB thread, and the related SOTT articles. Will start Primal body Primal Mind once I've finished reading the related materials here. I have lots to learn. :)

The only obstacle I have encountered during this process is finding gluten free foods when I am out and about. Has anyone here had the same trouble?

You are not alone in this. Many people went through this. As Laura mentioned , please read the 'Life with out bread' thread.That's a wonderful Journey. some times I recollect the Journey , it is a awful experiment that not yet ended .

Initially started with taking Vitamins, then getting rid of wheat ( to become gluten free), then going to brown rice inplace of white rice , then removing all grains , then using buckwheat, then stopping the buckwheat , then follow paleo diet ( fat and animal foods), then remove all the animals that eat grains. High Fat paleo Diet , is where it stands.( not all part of that thread though ). Know that every one's body little different though.

When I go to super store( once a while), heck, I can't find not even a single thing that I can eat or feel interested to eat despite the attractive package. Good thing I don't feel hungry either. But my kids will be begging me to buy that or this, I feel very sad to say No, feel more sad to know that 'their mother any way will feed them the same thing'.

Thanks seek10, yes it is a step by step procedure, I will be cutting out all dairy and soy soon, and use Xylitol now instead of sugar. My first trip to the grocery store after making the decision to cut out gluten was daunting and took twice as long, as I had to read the ingredients listing on most items.

The Gluten Traps thread would also be a good one for you to look at, nobodyslave, if you haven't read it already: http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,23698.0.html

Thanks for that Scarlet, very informative, and a little scary. :O

Found this cartoon in one of my books, had to laugh.