Did you know that feeding your kids gluten free is actually unhealthy? Is how the conversation started. While the intent may have been well-meaning, their position was weak and misinformed. They pointed to a recent article that appeared in a local newspaper about gluten-free products. Right away, my spidy senses started tingling. I wondered whether the article was referring to whole foods or highly refined gluten free products.
Photo by Ales Krivec on UnsplashThe Choice to Eat Gluten Free
Several years ago I cut wheat from my diet. I had been on a quest to become regularly active and to eat well. I wanted to have the energy I needed to enjoy life and I wanted to enjoy life by living it, not watching it on a television set. I had always imagined myself becoming a mom early in my life and when that didn't happen I swore that I would stay active so I could keep up with my kids instead of watching them from the side lines.
Am I celiac? No. Then, why did I cut wheat from my diet? At the time, there was information gaining popularity about the connection between gluten and inflammation. While my health was improving I didn't always feel well and I couldn't put my finger on the reason why. I decided something had to change and decided to tinker. Removing wheat from my diet was incredibly challenging; firstly, I am a carb-aholic, and secondly, I couldn't believe how many products contained wheat. Once, I even found it in a package of curry spice!
When I removed wheat from my diet my symptoms improved drastically. You might be wondering what my symptoms were and I am here to tell you it doesn't matter. The point is that I felt the best I had in a long time and my decision to not eat wheat didn't affect anyone but me.
Photo by Brooke Lark on UnsplashWhen people find out that I eat gluten free, especially as a non-celiac, they tend to get really worked up. Somehow, my choice to not eat gluten is offensive to them and they feel the need to assess whether or not I actually need to avoid gluten and inform me that gluten sensitivity isn't actually a real thing.
If gluten sensitivity isn't actually a real thing then why are there millions of people who claim they experienced health benefits after cutting wheat from their diets? We personally know one person who was able to eliminate severe gas, bloating, and IBS. Another person in our life completely reversed their markers for rheumatoid arthritis after eliminating wheat. Just because science doesn't have an explanation for why these occurrences happen doesn't mean there isn't something in wheat causing these ailments. In these two examples, clearly the symptoms alleviated aren't something you would expect from a placebo effect.
Photo by Evi Radauscher on UnsplashAfter discovering how much better I felt without wheat in my diet, I made the decision that my kids would mainly eat gluten free as well. Shocking, I know. Since I don't eat wheat, and I am the chef in the house, I knew their diets would default to gluten free. But what most people don't realize is that I eat a minimal amount of refined foods. Our meals mainly consist of real food. We eat protein, vegetables, fruit, and dairy. People assume that I eat gluten free bread, and I do occasionally, but I don't actually buy gluten free bread for myself. I really only eat it when it's offered to me.
Now that I've shared a little bit about why we chose to eat gluten free, stay tuned for part two where I rebut the article in question.
Gluten free soya sauce! It's really in so many things! I think there's a misconception that gluten free has to be gross or tasteless, etc. I gotta say, i hate pancakes- but gluten free rice pancakes are so good. (As one example)
We are not completely gluten free. Like you said, no celiacs here. Lately we have been enjoying a lot of oats with the berries we have been gathering. I wonder, have you found a good source for gluten free oats in our province?
Look forward to reading more about your sans gluten adventure. :)
Yes! I remember buying tamari because it was wheat free soy sauce. The taste was awful and it was so salty. I paid a fortune for it and probably hucked it the same day. We visited an Asian supermarket called T&T in search of a wheat free soy sauce. We discovered they have two soy sauce sections; one for South and the other for North. Anyway, I found one advertised as "vegetarian" which is hilarious because what soy sauce isn't? Anyway, it was wheat free and simple ingredients and it tastes great!
I haven't tried rice flour pancakes but I will have to look into those. I used to make a flourless pancake that was a bit more like a crepe but still delicious. Hmmm... Maybe this will be a post one day.
I haven't looked for a specific gluten free oats. Because I am not celiac I don't fret too much over "may contain wheat" because it's usually trace amounts. I buy the PC Organic oats but I don't eat them often. They haven't seemed to cause any problems for me.
I hadn't planned on posting gluten free content but this article kind of set a fire in me. It's been so well received that I may do more gluten free articles.
Well, if you made it through this mini novel or a response, thanks! I will stop monopolizing your time and let you get back to your darling Elves now. Cheers, Aimee
The soy sauce!
What a detailed post. Well done on your quality content. We encourage you to use the #naturalmedicine tag so we can find you easily!
ps... I think modern, processed wheat foods can be part of the problem. We eat homemade sourdough and it just doesn't affect us the same way - the fermentation does something to the gluten and it's far more digestible. - 💚K.
Thank you!
I agree! We were offered a loaf of traditional sourhdough and told that it likely wouldn't irritate me and they were right. I would like to look more into fermenting dough but I have gone so many years without having bread as a staple food that I kind of forget. Thanks for dropping by. -Aimee
You're welcome. Let me know if you'd like an easy recipe and I'll drop a link for you. If you're not used to having bread, that probably makes life easier! It's the feeling of missing it that makes it tougher!
A recipe sounds great! Thank you.
Yes, when I first cut wheat it was really challenging. I did miss it. I miss it less now but have the occasional craving. -Aimee
I cut wheat out of my diet many years ago, and it did help. I tried spelt and that was ok for a year, then it wasn't. A few years later someone offered me einkorn wheat and that was ok for a week, then wasn't. So that was it for wheat for me.
I am not celiac either, but wheat causes night pain for me...
Yes, I definitely think there is something going on with wheat. Maybe it's the gluten and maybe it's not. There are just so many factors to consider some of which I will be covering in a follow up post. What I do know is there are so many people feeling better once they remove wheat from their diet and both health and medical professionals should be paying attention instead of telling people the positive results are in their head. I also think so many people feel sub par and just assume that's normal. And, in my humble opinion, feeling good should be enough of a reason to make a lifestyle change with being questioned. Thanks for stopping by. -Aimee
Wow !! thats an awesome health tip...
I think,one thing you should add is Ricebran products.. I very good for heart, skin etc.
It contains Omega 3 fatty acid..
I'm glad you found the information useful. Thanks for the tip, I will look into rice bran. Cheers, Aimee
Thanks for being open minded.. I am sure.. its gonna help:-)
Nicely describe gluten food, sir... Usually, I don't like to eat that but I'll try to eat it sometimes. 😊
Nice work good type of info like it started following you 👍
amazing post loved it hoping to see more from you
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Thank you. I took a look at your blog and will have to try some of your recipes one day. Thanks for dropping by and saying hello -Aimee