Yum, bagels. I miss them so much.
Everything bagel with cream cheese, onion and tomato. Open face.
That was my happy place!
A very strange thing happened to me several years ago- I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
GLUTEN FREE CHALLENGE: DISCOVER A HEALTHIER YOU
For those who’ve never heard of it, Celiac Disease (or the less dangerous but still as pesky gluten intolerance or sensitivity) is a severe reaction to anything containing gluten or wheat.
I was mortified when I found out I had to cut out wheat from my diet. Not only did I cry over saying goodbye to my last croissant, but I also dreaded being that “special dietary needs” customer. You know the one—the annoying person who makes a fuss. Well, now, that’s me. Sigh. Sorry.
But something amazing came out of this lifestyle change—real, research-backed benefits. I can’t believe how much clearer, more even, and stable my mind feels.
Do you ever feel like you’re in a funk, or that your mind races, you’re anxious or jumpy, or you feel overly reactive to your spouse or kids for no good reason? I thought these were just normal parts of life. Since I eliminated all wheat I now see that maybe they weren’t.
I wanted to share this with you because you might be looking for a way to feel better. Since cutting out gluten entirely, my tummy is no longer bloated, my mind is clear, my skin looks so much better, I don’t experience mood swings. I rarely feel full, I just sense it’s time to stop eating. What a difference that was.
I think everyone (YOU included!) should try this, just to see how you feel.
If you’re curious and ready for a challenge, I challenge you to go gluten-free for one month starting this month.
The Basics of Going Gluten-Free
Gluten is the protein found in wheat, so avoid wheat altogether. It’s harder than you think, though—gluten is hidden everywhere. (The 2nd ingredient in licorice, for example, is wheat.)
No barley, spelt, or malt (no normal beer—sorry about that).
No soy sauce or teriyaki sauce—both are wheat-based. Asian restaurants can be tricky since they put soy in almost everything, and meat is often marinated in it, too.
Read all labels—watch for "modified food starch" and other gluten-related ingredients. The best bet? Stick to whole foods with no labels!
Rice, quinoa, lentils, beans, and potatoes are all fine, as long as they don’t contain wheat. Only gluten-free oats.
You don’t have to have Celiac disease to react badly to gluten/wheat. The only way to know how you’ll feel is to try it. What do you have to lose? You won’t miss those few pounds that might come off easily, and maybe you’ll be surprised by the rest.
Let me know how you’re feeling after trying this challenge. And if you’re feeling really motivated to change your world, cut out dairy at the same time. GASP! C’mon—you’re worth it.
Always looking out for you,
Dr. Rina