Getting Back to Normal - Try a Gluten Free Diet

The only way to treat gluten sensitivity is to eliminate gluten from your diet.

 

If you suffer the chronic symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation why not try a gluten free diet for 90 days and see if you have any relief. You may find it hard at first but I can assure you that if you are gluten sensitive that you will soon feel so much better.

 

You can make your own diet up by using gluten free foods, but check with your nutritionist that it is a balanced diet. If you purchase foods from the supermarket just make sure it has on the product labelling 'gluten free', for example Country Life have bread that clearly displays 'Gluten Free'. Other products may not be that clear, so you may have to look hard.

 

If you go to a restaurant ask if they have a gluten free menu. Usually, the menu will have GF next to the meals that are gluten free.

 

Here is a list of some gluten free foods:

• Caned tuna or salmon etc. make sure it is in water
• chicken & turkey without skin
• eggs
• Fat free cheese, soy cheese & plain yogurt  
• Fresh seafood
• lean red meat, pork & veal
• Milk (if your not lactose sensitive)
• Most vegetable & fruits 
• GF Stock
• GF soy sauce or tamari sauce
• Lemon Juice, vinegar
• Natural extracts vanilla, almond & orange
• Spices and herbs
• GF biscuits
• GF cereal
• GF Cake mix

So as you can see you can eat most foods so it isn't that bad. Of course you also must avoid any other foods that you know you are allergic to.

                                        

The symptoms of Gluten sensitivity

The symptoms of Gluten sensitivity are many but my experience was gastroenteritis like symptoms.

 

These symptoms started when I was young but I didn't really know about gluten sensitivity then and neither did my parents.

 

I continually had trouble with stomach upsets and bloating. I have a picture of myself when I was nine, where I look six months pregnant. Not a good look.

 

I also suffered with eczema and have since found that this is another symptom of gluten sensitivity, as are many things such as Asthma, Diabetes, Anaemia and unexplained weight loss or gain.

 

Weight was always a problem for me as I would put weight on so easily. When I grew older I heard about gluten sensitivity but did not relate it to my problem. It seemed to me that most people with Coeliac disease were extremely thin, and as I had a weight problem I believed this couldn't be me.

 

When my illness finally came to its peak, I began to pass blood from having diarrhea continuously and my weight dropped dramatically. I also began to run high temperatures. My doctor didn't know what to do for me so he admitted me to hospital.

 

While in hospital a different doctor came to see me. He took one look at me and said that I was gluten sensitive and that I should stop eating bread and go on a gluten free diet. Well, it didn't happen over night but since I started this diet I have never felt so healthy. My weight is great and I feel that I have a new lease on life. Sure, it is hard sometimes when you want to have something to eat out and you get a blank look when you mention your 'gluten intolerant', but I have found that more and more restaurants can accommodate dietary problems now as there seems to be a better awareness.

 

For those people who live in Australia a company called Country Bake make gluten free bread and it is sold in most supermarkets, for example Coles and Woolworths .

 

And for a special treat, DefinitelyChocolate have wonderful Organic and Vegan chocolate that is gluten free. Just click on the banner below to check them out. You won't be disappointed.

 

 

 

ARE YOU GLUTEN SENSITIVE?

The best advice I can give is, if you feel you may be gluten sensitive, speak to your doctor and change your diet. If you are, you will be surprised at the result.

 

If you want proof, you may be disappointed. Proving gluten sensitivity is not an easy thing, unless you are a Coeliac, which is sensitivity to the extreme.

 

However, talk to your doctor. Have the relevant tests, but if they are negative still change your diet and see if you overall well-being improves. If you are sensitive, the change won't be subtle, it will significant. But ask you doctor how to change your diet safely.