From a Gluten-Free Nutritional Standpoint...

 

 Snapshot of Snacks at Starbucks (contains gluten and other allergens).

Not all Gluten-free or Allergy friendly processed foods are created equal. I've found that some prepackaged gluten-free products are just as devoid of nutrition and quality ingredients as the traditional and glutenous processed junk that lines grocery store aisles in excess.

I've been meaning to sound off on this for awhile. Now I'm not saying that that all prepackaged gluten-free (or top 8 allergen free) cookies, cakes, breads, or snacks are bad. There are certainly some amazing brands out there that cater to our health and taste buds. And even the so-so brands are great in moderation. Let's face it, it's nice to indulge. But what I see so often in the gluten-free community is the feeling of wanting to replace what's been lost--sugar laden, bad fat filled, white-floury, processed crap! And filling the void until the main source of food consumed is processed, high in sugar, low in nutrients, and unnatural.

Too many food companies are now catering to this dopamine addiction in my opinion. My personal experience with being diagnosed and needing to go gluten free was a journey of needing to heal myself. What my malnourished body was crying out for after all the damage to my stomach and intestines was real solid nutrition--something that isn't always found in processed foods. When you have Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, the last thing that is going to heal your villi is this kind of food.

And so you've become an expert at reading ingredient labels. Now it's time for the easy part; reading nutrition labels in combination with ingredients. Look for processed foods that include wholesome grains instead of more "white flour" like plain rice flour or potato flour. Check out whole grains, natural ingredients, and organic products now and then. Here's a few more detailed things to look for when navigating healthier (but just as tasty!) GF processed foods:

DO: (in moderation)

• Real Food Colorants (one example: beet juice colorings instead of "Red40" or other synthetic colorants)


• Healthy Gluten-free Whole grains (whole grain brown rice, wild rice, brown rice flour, almond flour (if you can tolerate nuts), coconut flour, amaranth, sorghum, quinoa, or buckwheat flour).


• Alternative Sweeteners to White Processed Sugar (some examples: Small amounts of stevia, agave, or raw local honey).


• "Good" fat content--monounsatured fats found often in olive oil, avocado, almonds, etc.


• A SHORT INGREDIENT LIST! -- A good rule to follow here is if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. Or if it's over 5 or 6 non-organic ingredients, don't eat it.


• Organic, Whole Ingredients (I love some of the Organicville Products. The Pasta sauce is soy free, dairy free, gluten free, nut free, egg free).

[
A Hearty Wild Rice dish is a great alternative to White Rice.

DON'T: (or limit to rarely)

• Baking mixes or processed breads, snacks, etc. that mainly use "white" flour such as white rice flour or potato flour. These really don't do much for you in the nutrition department. Stick to the healthier choices listed above. In my opinion, the healthy ones taste better in baking anyway.


• High Fructose Corn Syrup, Raw Sugar, Evaporated Cane Juice and any other form of highly processed/unnatural sugar in high quantities.


• Artificial ingredients or products that use GMOs. When you're healing and living with a disease or allergies, you really want to limit your intake of these.


• Any Trans fats.

These are just some of the Dos and Don'ts that have helped me heal along the way. Try not to get into the habit of treating your disease or allergies emotionally or mentally with unhealthy foods. Instead, heal your body which will help heal your attitude and emotional damage much more easily. Of course though, the best source of food you can eat will never be processed--it will be straight from the garden or the tree! Food (fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds) in it's natural state can never be fully replaced. You're really not giving up anything when you show your body some much needed love.

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Living with Food Allergies: Overcoming Challenges

Since going gluten-free over 3 years ago and being highly allergic to soy, peanuts, and legumes for one year, I'd had my fair share of ups and downs. I know most people dealing with multiple food allergies have probably at one point dealt with many of the following things:

• People telling you (directly or indirectly) that they think you're limited or "damaged goods" due to your strange immune system.


• Strangers commenting on your weight or body in a negative light.


• Misunderstandings about what you can and can't eat, and others seeing you as difficult due to your limited diet.


• Feeling alone or isolated from people, close and not so close, that don't fully understand your situation or refuse to acknowledge it.


• Struggling with safe food choices and keeping a balanced diet despite numerous restrictions.


• Self loathing or feeling inadequate due to being different with food allergies.


• Frustration on not being able to eat what everyone else does.


• Depression/Anxiety over your permanent situation.


• Feeling the need to apologize to others for your special diet or food allergies.

At first, I had a hard time grappling with the changes that had been shoved into my life without my consent. I felt myself asking questions like, "Why me?" or "How am I going to overcome this without losing myself?". The truth is, all of the above have come to be great and priceless blessings, even if it felt like the absolute opposite at the start.

Using these obstacles as stepping stones to building yourself back up after the fall takes patience and practice, but will ultimately make you stronger and more resilient than anyone or anything aiming these negative energies your way. Some of my best days have been laughing in the face of what seemed to be impossible to live with. I am constantly surrounded by food I cannot eat everywhere I go, but that doesn't mean my attitude needs to be sour. Let your light shine brighter and learn to love what you do have. Here's some of the many things I'm thankful for and that have taught me to embrace my radiant self, no matter what's testing me that day:

• Precious and delicious food that I can eat


• Learning to be my own gourmet chef and rock it out in the kitchen whenever I have a craving (waaay cheaper, healthier, and more fun than a few rounds at a run of the mill restaurant).


• My support system: Family is forever and the ones you can trust to just "be there" truly shine with you through the challenges making you realize your full potential and grace.


• The power of nature, nourishing the body, mind, and spirit, and keeping life simple.


• A positive outlook changes your life, and no one can take away your own powerful thoughts.


• Organic, pure, and real food.


• Small steps and victories that reaffirm you are capable of anything you focus on overcoming.


• How small and big my life seems at the same time when I look at the sky.


• Others negativity ultimately becomes my strength.


• Love. Pure and Simple.

That list could go on probably forever, but you get the idea. Overcoming challenges from living with special diets or food allergies can be difficult, there's no question about that. It's what you do with the opportunity that's knocking. Let your little light shine and be authentically you. You don't ever have to apologize for that. You are strong, beautiful, and you are the one that's in control. What will you do with your blessings today?

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Thank you, Dad

 

Sophie, my dad's other little girl.

In celebrating my wonderful father today on Father's day, I'd like to share the story of how I came to be diagnosed with gluten intolerance (or celiac), and how my father ultimately found my diagnosis.

Three and a half years ago, my family and I were trying desperately to figure out why my health was in shambles. I wasn't digesting correctly, was losing weight with no explanation, and had severe depression and anxiety. I felt sick all over and knew something was very wrong with my body. I visited doctors who took one look at me and told me I was simply "overworking" myself as a college student or cracked it all up to IBS and threw depression medication at me. I knew deep down that they were only treating symptoms and feared we would never find the root cause.

One weekend, I was having an especially hard time. I drove home from college and just being around my parents again was comforting, though the health problems persisted. I remember feeling so defeated as I sat cross legged on the carpet with my dad and our two puppies. He listened to everything I had to say about what I'd been going through and made me feel safe, as he always had done. He told me to stay strong, keep my faith, and that we would find what was going on.

The next morning I woke up feeling fairly better than I had been and was in good spirits. I bounced upstairs and found my dad in the kitchen, the smell of fresh brewed coffee filling the room. We talked and he made me a hearty breakfast--a delicious ham and cheese filled omelet--while he taught me about how to make sure the eggs don't stick and how to season for great flavor. After eating the omelet, I felt fantastic. For once, I felt my stomach wasn't too bloated to eat any more. My dad made me some toast since I was feeling alright.

About 10 minutes after eating the toast, I began to feel the anxiety creep over my body again as my stomach started to ache. My dad watched me transform from being happy and energetic to scared and sick all over again. We couldn't figure out what we had done wrong. Soon after, he talked with his doctor about his worries and talked about how I used to have a problem with wheat when I was a baby. The doctor had said that I would outgrow the issue, despite the rashes and irritation that plagued me. He wondered if I had never outgrown the issue, especially after the recent toast issue.

I ended up going on a gluten elimination diet for an extended time after the doctor mention that I might have Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. After a while, I was told to put gluten back in my diet to test for a reaction. I had been feeling amazing since cutting it out and was reluctant to try it again. I loaded up on a glutenous pizza and beer binge to test, which proved to be an absolute terrible idea the next day. I had a classic gluten reaction and really didn't feel like getting out of bed at all. I was diagnosed soon after and made a full recovery.

My father and mother have always done everything they could to try and find the root cause of my health issues, and I am forever grateful for their love, support and persistence with everything that I've gone through. Thank you Dad, for helping me better myself and save my health in the process. I'm happy, gluten free, and 350% better than I was before thanks to you. Thank you Mom, for going out the same day we found out the issue and helping me find all the food I could eat. You've made me the woman I am today, and there are no words I can say to express how much I love you both. I can't ask for better parents and wish I could be home for Father's day, and that I could've also been home for Mother's day. My dad is traveling today, and I'm wishing him a very safe and happy trip. I'll be thinking of him the whole time.

Have a blessed Father's Day and don't forget to say I love you.

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