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A year ago today, I embarked on an experiment that I only thought would last a month. I gave up wheat as both an experiment for myself, but also so I could recommend wheat-free diets to my acupuncture patients when appropriate.
The only wheat I eat now is sprouted wheat in the form of Ezekiel bread and it doesn't seem to bother me. Sometimes I can tell when I've had wheat by accident because the symptoms come back: I get mood swings, an upset stomach with cramps, bloating and acne. Sometimes I'm not as careful as I should be about checking ingredients.
Now eating wheat-free has become a way of life for me. And I think I have a much better quality of life now than I did a year ago. Now I can tell that culprit when I get acne is cow's milk (it was much worse with wheat) and I can limit that accordingly.
Most of the time, I actually eat gluten-free foods because they have become so readily available. I get excited when I see my favorite brands like Pamela's or Cherrybrook Kitchen on the shelf of my local store. And Kinnikkinnick cinnamon donuts are to die for.
Personally, I'm not concerned that I have Celiac's Disease because I don't seem to have bad reactions to other grains like barley or spelt, although I haven't been tested for it. But it's certainly made me more aware of people who do have Celiac's. I also make sure when I prescribe herbs and other products to my patients I know what the ingredients are.
Is it hard being Italian-American and wheat-free? Yes. However, there are lots of pasta alternatives out there from expensive gourmet pastas made in Italy to your basic Thai rice stick that you can find for a few bucks. I introduced my family to one rice pasta and they couldn't tell the difference. I miss pizza, but there are rice-based pizza crusts available. I can even make my own spelt crust or polenta "pizza".
The highest form of wheat-free love is when my husband makes me pancakes with some combination of rice, spelt and, more recently, sorghum flours.
I'll be honest: eating wheat-free is not easy. It takes a little more thought when going out to eat and a little more planning when going shopping and a lot of label-reading. But if you have any of the symptoms I described, or any of the symptoms described at:
http://www.celiaccentral.org/Do_I_Have_Celiac_/13/
you might want to take a closer look at your diet and talk to your doctor.
The only wheat I eat now is sprouted wheat in the form of Ezekiel bread and it doesn't seem to bother me. Sometimes I can tell when I've had wheat by accident because the symptoms come back: I get mood swings, an upset stomach with cramps, bloating and acne. Sometimes I'm not as careful as I should be about checking ingredients.
Now eating wheat-free has become a way of life for me. And I think I have a much better quality of life now than I did a year ago. Now I can tell that culprit when I get acne is cow's milk (it was much worse with wheat) and I can limit that accordingly.
Most of the time, I actually eat gluten-free foods because they have become so readily available. I get excited when I see my favorite brands like Pamela's or Cherrybrook Kitchen on the shelf of my local store. And Kinnikkinnick cinnamon donuts are to die for.
Personally, I'm not concerned that I have Celiac's Disease because I don't seem to have bad reactions to other grains like barley or spelt, although I haven't been tested for it. But it's certainly made me more aware of people who do have Celiac's. I also make sure when I prescribe herbs and other products to my patients I know what the ingredients are.
Is it hard being Italian-American and wheat-free? Yes. However, there are lots of pasta alternatives out there from expensive gourmet pastas made in Italy to your basic Thai rice stick that you can find for a few bucks. I introduced my family to one rice pasta and they couldn't tell the difference. I miss pizza, but there are rice-based pizza crusts available. I can even make my own spelt crust or polenta "pizza".
The highest form of wheat-free love is when my husband makes me pancakes with some combination of rice, spelt and, more recently, sorghum flours.
I'll be honest: eating wheat-free is not easy. It takes a little more thought when going out to eat and a little more planning when going shopping and a lot of label-reading. But if you have any of the symptoms I described, or any of the symptoms described at:
http://www.celiaccentral.org/Do_I_Have_Celiac_/13/
you might want to take a closer look at your diet and talk to your doctor.
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From:
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But then, I eat pasta like I did tonight, and I feel unwell every. single. time. and think to myself that a lot of those things apply, so maybe it would be worth it.
It is in my mind to try, as there is some correlation. not enough to worry about celiac really, but enough to wonder if there's a sensitivity, absolutely.
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Considering where you work, I know there's wheat in most everything good at the cafe. But, I know that the cafe also carries big cookies that are wheat-free, right? At least some of them are. It's that brand with the cartoon face on it - I forget what it's called. I know the branch on Overland has them.
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tinkyada (sp?) is fantastic gf pasta. It is the best I have found.
If you have found that you are much better for not eating wheat, you may wish to have a blood test just to be sure you are not celiac. You may be sending out angry antibodies and not know it. Or you may be fine.
How are the sorghum flour pancakes?
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Yes, that's the bunny pasta I was mentioning above!!! It IS the best gf pasta.
You're right, I should probably get tested. Now that I have health insurance, I might just do that.
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thanks for posting this
male/female doesn't matter to me, just so long as they listen well and don't try to prescribe a load of meds i don't need, and i suspect that if you were happy with them i'd probably agree
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Re: thanks for posting this
The dentist I saw was in Marina del Rey. Her name is Lisa Ho Guinan and her # is 310.877.7767. Ajax went to see her more than I did and he really liked her.
I could also make a post so my friends in your area might have suggestions. Or you could as
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Re: thanks for posting this
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Honestly...this almost makes me cry. I do know there are alternatives, but even the thought knowing that I have to alter my pasta-eating habit makes me cringe.
Oh, yeah..this is Dan...hope you don't mind me friending you!
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I was telling
I'll have pix from today in the park up tomorrow. First sleep.
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I was diagnosed Celiac about a year ago and have been gluten-free since Jan 1.
Kinnikkinnick makes the BEST pizza crust. (I'ved tested several brands) Which is interesting considering how sucky their bread is. Its really good and it doesn't take gluten-free. LOVE it. I'll have to track the donuts down though.
I don't like Pamela's premade cookies. I don't care for crunchy cookies. But the Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix is to die for. And it only makes a half a dozen cookies or so, so I don't get too tempted to overindulge.
But hands down, my favorite brand for mixes is Gluten-Free Pantry. I've tried a lot of them and only one thing wasn't good (The chocolate chip cookies! =)) And their AP flour is a really good product too.
Tinkyada is the best pasta. There's a couple of really good crackers out there.
FYI there is a blood test for Celiacs, but you have to be on a gluten-containing diet for at least 4 weeks before you get the blood draw.
From:
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Thanks for all the suggestions.
I did hear about the blood test but there's NO way I'm going back to eating wheat for a month. I'd rather just say that I have a sensitivity to wheat and leave it at that. I'm pretty careful when I go out to eat but make sure I tell the waitstaff that it won't kill me.
It has also sparked an interest in me as far as acupuncture goes. I'm really interested in taking some Continuing Ed classes on how to help people with digestive and autoimmune disorders.