My journey to gluten free living.
I was exhausted...all the time. At times I thought maybe I was just a lazy person. With a 3 year old son and a full time job, I struggled through the day on multiple lattes, only to get home, make dinner for my son, and pass out on the couch watching him play video games or watching cartoons. (Yes, my 3 year old had a Playstation - but that's another story)
I could barely keep up with the house work - thank God for my room mate at the time who would do the dishes even if he had not eaten.
The perception my supervisor at work had of me was that I was not really interested in my work, because I would zone out in meetings and get drowsy at my desk, hence the 2 or 3 lattes each day. In the morning, someone would always bring donuts or bagels to work which of course I would enjoy.
I just could not figure out why I was so tired all the time. Sometimes Friday nights were pizza nights and Saturday I would spend the day on the couch, feeling totally drained of energy and strength...no matter what fun plans I had made for the day.
I always tried to eat fairly healthy - whole grain breads, fiber, fruits and vegetables...I NEVER thought that the food I was eating was poisoning me.
I went to various doctors who told me that I was normal and healthy. All my tests came back with no evidence that there was anything wrong. I finally went to a homeopathic doctor who told me the dark circles under my eyes were a sign of allergies. She performed a blood test that showed several food sensitivities - including GLUTEN.
It wasn't until I quit eating everything on the list that the lethargy lifted and my life and health was transformed! I had been in a fog all my adult life and didn't know it. That was in 2002. Since then, I have tested the different allergen foods and the one big culprit is the gluten.
Starting on a gluten free diet is easier now than ever. Back in 2002 there were not as many tasty alternatives for bread and pasta as there are now. So if any of the stuff I went through sounds familiar, gluten free may be for you too.
Did I mention that as a result of cutting out wheat, my energy level was so high I started going to the gym and lost 25 pounds? It was a far cry from not being able to get up off the couch!
Over the years I have tried tons of products. Some super tasty and some...not so much. This website has some of the brands that I have come to enjoy.
Sometimes gluten free bread has a flavor and texture that is far from the bread I grew up eating. And after all these years, sandwiches are one of the main things I miss with a gluten free diet.
If you want to read more on the negative effects wheat and gluten can have on people with sensitivities check out the book "Wheat Belly".
