Why I Went Gluten-Free
"I would rather eat cardboard than go gluten-free" - Me, Pre-2018
Yep. I was THAT person back then. I thought gluten-free meant no taste. I thought gluten-free was a fad that was going to die out at some point. I felt like going gluten-free had a placebo effect on people, which is why so many people found it to be successful. Clearly, I had no clue what I was talking about.
My Struggle with Digestion Problems
For several years, I have grappled with persistent digestion issues. My abdomen, particularly the lower right side, has been afflicted by severe pains that often rendered me incapable of normal functioning. Chronic constipation became a routine struggle, with prolonged periods passing without any bowel movement. The resulting bloated appearance of my stomach following most meals led me to accept this condition as a normal part of my existence.
I believed I was maintaining a relatively healthy diet by consuming organic products, abstaining from soda and milk, and regularly drinking homemade green juice. However, it is possible to mistakenly perceive our eating habits as beneficial when, in fact, our bodies may be struggling due to the consumption of foods to which we are intolerant.
Giving it a Try
One day I was laying on the couch with my usual flair up of pain in my lower right abdomen, and I told Mike I was going to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. He then looked at me and said, "you always help other people with nutrition and holistic remedies, how come you won't try that on yourself? You know the doctor is just going to run tests and give you medications." I realized he was right, I may as well at least try every last thing I know before resorting to that option.
I took the leap and decided I would try going gluten-free for 4 weeks and see if it made a difference. I went out and bought chickpea pasta, gluten free bread, and cauliflower pizza crust. I really didn't think it was going to work, but I was desperate.
The first 2 weeks were interesting. I had no energy, I had a ton of brain fog, and I felt deprived of bread. By the 4 week mark, I was starting to feel a little better, but my skin still hadn't cleared completely and I wasn't going to the bathroom more frequently. However, I wasn't having as severe of pain in my abdomen, so I stuck with it. By the 2 month mark I was really feeling an amazing difference. My head was clearer than it had ever been. My abdominal pain was at a minimum, and my skin was looking so much better. I also lost 10 to 15 pounds, which wasn't something I was trying to do. I was consuming the same amount of calories, they just didn't include gluten.
Detoxing isn't a Pleasant Process
I think one thing a lot of people don't realize is anytime you either start taking an herbal supplement or change your diet, there isn't always an instantaneous difference. This is especially true when giving up unhealthy foods or food you are intolerant to. Your body goes through a whole detox process that can be more uncomfortable than when you were actually eating the bad stuff. Detoxing can cause brain fog, loose stools, constipation, and fatigue. This is why it's often suggested to slowly change your diet instead of going cold turkey like I did. It can take over 2 months to really see the benefits of a new regime, diet, or supplement. So don't give up!
Going Gluten Free Changed My Life
I've now been gluten-free for a while now, and I feel worlds better. I completely avoid gluten, restrict my dairy consumption to only organic butter, and I try and keep my corn and grain intake to a minimum. My diet isn't perfect, but it's much better than it was. Most of all, it's the diet that works for my body. We all have different genetics, environments, and lifestyles. That's why we have to really tune into our bodies and figure out what our bodies like and don't like. Maybe gluten doesn't bother your body the way it does mine. In that case, make sure you're consuming high-quality gluten. Try healthier options like organic sourdough. Perhaps for you, it's corn, avocado, dairy, eggs, grains, or peanuts... or maybe it's all of those things. There's no right or wrong answer to this because the answer is different for each of us.
We All Have Different Food Intolerances
If you are having skin, digestion, or stomach problems, try food elimination for 2-4 week periods of time. Keep a food journal to keep track of what foods cause what reactions. Make sure you try to buy mainly whole, real foods, and organic/non-gmo when you can. This in itself will make a big difference and will give you a good jumping off point for figuring out what foods you are intolerant to.
