Gluten

What is all this stuff about gluten anyway?

"I’ve heard that carbs in general are bad for me but what is so wrong about a bran muffin? “

Aside from all of the refined carbohydrates and sugar ( that is another blog topic for a future time) , the muffin contains gluten which can cause a whole host of problems for those individuals that suffer from gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Celiac disease is a form of severe gluten intolerance where there is an immune response and compromised digestive system.

What does it do?

Basically gluten can cause a lot of inflammation in the body and some not so fun side effects. It is your body’s way of saying, “Hey, don’t eat that pizza! It makes me feel really bad and I have to work a lot harder to function.”

People may experience nasal congestion, cough, sinusitis, headaches, allergies, nausea, vomiting, bloating, mood swings, diarrhea, skin rashes, achy joints and/or fatigue after eating gluten. Symptoms can occur anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours after eating.

What the heck is it?

Gluten is basically a type of protein that is found in forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, and spelt), rye, oats, barley, triticale and kamut. Gluten is what makes wheat flour elastic and smooth. Gluten containing foods include bread, cake, cookies and other baked goods, pizza, pasta, pancakes, waffles, cereal and other foods prepared with the grains mentioned above. It is also hidden in a lot of different foods such as soy sauce, most processed foods, soups, sauces, gravies, tortillas, hydrolyzed plant protein (HVP), texturized vegetable protein (TVP), beer, some hard liquors, licorice, and some flavorings. So read labels!

When I met gluten:

I learned about Celiac disease from a massage client years ago when I had just started acupuncture school . This woman was practically incapacitated by this little protein that is in most people’s daily lives. She had severe joint pain, extreme fatigue, headaches, foggy thinking and alternating diarrhea and constipation. No one could figure out why this young woman felt so bad. All of her medical tests came out normal. Finally someone thought to some blood tests for Celiac disease and her life changed. She cut out all grains except rice and corn, which she ate sparingly. Within a month, all of her symptoms were gone!

When I divorced gluten

Now you are thinking, “Well that’s not me, I don’t get severe joint pain after eating a cookie.” Well, I didn’t either. Hey, I used to eat a lot of bread products too. My after school snack was toasted sourdough with swiss cheese and salami. In college I began many mornings with a muffin and a latte. I was ignorantly blissful ( while suffering from chronic neck pain, fatigue and migraines) until my muscle tester found gluten to be a major problem for me.

I remember being baffled by how someone could not eat bread (what with my Italian heritage and all). I asked my massage client what she ate instead of sandwiches,burritos and chocolate chip cookies. She answered, “salads, tacos and dark chocolate”. She also told me that she did not miss any bread products because she felt sooooo much better without them! I was tired of being tired and walking around with my a crick in my neck, so I decided to eliminate one of the four major food groups.

I decided to focus on what I could eat instead of lamenting over pancakes and cake. I discovered that there were plenty of yummy alternatives to what I normally ate. Honestly, I also felt better. I ate eggs and kale for breakfast with an occasional slice of Glutino flax bread. I had salads with chicken or fish instead of sandwiches. I stopped eating pancakes and pizza because they put me in a coma.

These days most stores have a variety of gluten-free products and alternatives. You really don’t have to feel deprived. You can find everything from gluten-free breads and baked goods to pizza and pie crusts, baking mixes, crackers, and pastas. Just experiment until you find a brand you like. Ask your grocer for a list of gluten free products.

What if I am eating out?

• Avoid chains where much of the food is pre-packaged and made off-site.
• Simple menu items like grilled or broiled meats and vegetables are good choices.
• Have a salad without croûtons.
• Home fries or potatoes instead of bread.
• You can order a burger without the bun and wrap it in lettuce.
• Ask the chef if they have a gluten-free dish/alternative.

Helpful sites:
www.glutenfreegirl.com
www.glutenfreeda.com
www.glutenfree.com