Hello All, I hope you had a rest-filled weekend. Some of you have reached out and inquired about the pros and cons of the gluten free diet so as promised, here is a post that hopefully clears up any questions you may have. First thing’s first, you should always consult your doctor or dietitian prior to starting a new diet. When you meet with your doctor or dietitian be sure to ask about how to maintain a well balanced diet that includes all of the key nutrients. When it comes to making the decision to go gluten free be ready to commit-there are no “cheat days”. The gluten free diet can be restrictive and isolating, for both adults and children alike. Educating yourself and the rest of the world on the seriousness of your needs can be exhausting; the importance of becoming your own best advocate cannot be overstated. I pride myself on being honest and to be completely transparent I would not have chosen the gluten free diet unless it was medically necessary. I love gluten as much as the next person, but I know that putting my health first is a must. I also feel so blessed to have grown up in an environment where anything and everything could be made gluten free-a big shoutout to my Mother for that. Financially the gluten free diet is not overly cost efficient. Often times gluten free products are up-charged at restaurants, and are always more expensive than gluten-filled products at grocery stores. Health wise gluten free products are also higher in sugars, fats, and complex carbs; because of this it is not a diet for weight loss. Now I know if you’re reading this it may just feel like a “cons” list, but I am just trying to lay foundation for the seriousness of this decision. The most obvious “pro” is if you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease or non-celiac gluten intolerance by going gluten free you will ge putting your health first, allowing your intestines to heal, and you will no longer be getting sick. Besides going gluten free will allow you to check out this awesome blog all the more frequently. Now i’m only half kidding of course. Being gluten free also allows you to tap into your creative cooking/baking side and have fun in the kitchen, while sharing sweet creations with those that you love. I sincerely hope this post provided some clarity and I wish you all the best in whatever your decision may be. I am so grateful for those of you who commented with questions-I started this blog to assist others within the gluten free community throughout their journeys, regardless of which stage of the journey they may be experiencing. Please continue to reach out with any questions and from my kitchen to yours, stay safe and be well.
Until next time,
Brynn