Our first few days on Instagram have been a success. I recently received a comment inquiring about the benefits of a gluten free diet for someone who does not have Celiac Disease or requires a gluten free diet. I love getting questions and post suggestions, so please keep ’em coming. I will begin by noting that it is estimated that there are two and one-half million cases of undiagnosed individuals carrying the genes for Celiac Disease. That said there may be many individuals who are not on a gluten free diet but are experiencing many of the underlying symptoms.
Symptoms of Celiac can vary from person to person and the list can be quite extensive. Below you will find a detailed image displaying Celiac Disease symptoms. If you think that you may require a gluten free diet or have Celiac, contact your healthcare provider to be tested. Source: “Celiac Disease Symptoms (from Those Living with the Disease): An Infographic.” Gluten Dude, 8 Mar. 2015, glutendude.com/celiac/celiac-disease-symptoms/.
Now that I have further discussed Celiac and the symptoms, I will write about the diet itself. A gluten free diet means cutting out wheat, barely, rye, malt, and sometimes oats because it cannot be digested. This diet is the life and blood of members of the Celiac community. However, a typical misconception by the general public is that going gluten free means “cutting out all carbs,” and that is is some kind of magical weight loss diet. This is only true if one actually does cut out all carbs, and doesn’t allow for “cheat days.” Cutting out all of your carbs has many health benefits, but that is not what the gluten free diet is. I have said many times, I believe that anything can be made gluten free. My family and I do this through the substitution of gluten products with ones that are gluten free, and altering recipes. Living a gluten free lifestyle for the purpose of thriving with Celiac Disease does not include using the conceived idea of a gluten free diet assigned by the public. Therefore, the gluten free diet is not healthy for individuals without celiac disease or medical reasons requiring a gluten free diet. This is because gluten free foods are low in fiber and are enriched with fat, calories, and artificial sugars. In order to combat these added calories and fat, my family and I focus on providing nourishing and balanced meals, eating the proper portion sizes, and getting our daily exercise. These simple things will keep people healthy in both mind and body regardless of what they can and can’t eat. Source: Strawbridge, Holly. “Going Gluten-Free Just Because? Here’s What You Need to Know.” Harvard Health Blog, 30 Jan. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/going-gluten-free-just-because-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201302205916.
As I said above, if you feel as though you are affected by the symptoms of Celiac disease please get in contact with your healthcare professional to be tested. There will be health benefits to those experiencing symptoms, in that they will begin to feel better over the course of 1-2 months being gluten free. This is hugely important in order to thrive while living life gluten free. You are the foundation of your being, if you are not well in mind, body, or spirit you can not give your best to all the rides on your shoulders. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to listen to your body and be present in a non-judgmental manner. It is okay not to feel well, but the key is acknowledging it quickly, getting assistance, and getting back to feeling good. If I learned anything from athletics, and trust me I learned a lot, it’s about how fast you get back up. Going gluten free can seem scary at first. A year ago I questioned if my symptoms were really that bad. The answer for anyone thinking the same thing is always yes. Ask anyone within our gluten free community and you will find that we will all say basically the same thing: Once you transition and begin to feel better you won’t believe you didn’t start sooner. That’s not to say that the transition is easy. There will be challenges, but you will overcome them, you will crave old favorites, but then you will remember that anything can made gluten free, and then you will thrive.
I hope this post is heard by those needing to hear it, and that it clears up questions regarding the gluten free diet. As always, if you have further inquiries please reach out and I will do my best to assist.
Until next time,
Brynn
