Gluten has become a hot topic in the health and wellness community over the years. Initially, it was thought to be harmless. In more recent years, studies have shown otherwise. Naturally, as a society, we have shifted towards looking for gluten-free labels on our food.
With the holidays around the corner, gluten overload is staring our country in the face even more than usual. You may be wondering if it’s worth it to make the move to purify your pantry. Of course, I would argue yes, and here’s why.
Gluten is a versatile ingredient, typically found in rye, barley, wheat, and other phantom forms, and can act as a preservative. It is popularly thought to be found in breads and pastas-carb loaded foods– but it’s hidden all over the place from dressings and seasonings to breads, meats and candy. It works as an elasticizing agent making your food soft and chewy.
If you have ever made bread or some kind of doughy food from scratch, think of how the dough sticks to your fingers and everything it touches. That is what gluten does inside of your body. It can lead to inflammation, bone issues, and malabsorption.
Clearing gluten from your body leads to less strain on your organs, improved mental health, weight loss, clarity of the mind, brighter moods, and an increase in energy. Your body feels less slowed down by the weight of the heavy, sticky gluten it struggles to break down. This is one less source blocking organs from receiving proper nutrients and throwing off your hormones.
For people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, being gluten-free is crucial to their health because in many cases, it is life-threatening. Living with undiagnosed gluten sensitivities and allergies can lead to more serious problems such as organ damage and mental illnesses. Knowing the signs of various diseases caused by gluten is so important.
Considering all the ways gluten is disguised on our grocery shelves, educating yourself to be truly gluten-free can be quite a struggle. When my daughter was diagnosed with her gluten sensitivity, I began to notice how it was affecting her inflammation, her brain, and her mood. I knew it was crucial to remain a gluten-free household and implement tools like the elimination diet to help improve her health, but it was a daunting task with minimal educated support. I created my food education classes and specialty cooking classes for this reason. I want to lend a helping hand to those struggling to make this adjustment. This journey is an incredible opportunity to see the health results you want without giving up most foods you love because the great news is that there is an honestly gluten-free alternative to just about everything! This month we are going to delve into the different components of gluten in our lives. We will be taking an in-depth look at gluten’s effects on our body, health concerns it will worsen, and why, as well as how to identify gluten sensitivities and allergies. Be sure you’re on the email list so you don’t miss out!
If you are ready to make the jump into a healthier lifestyle, you can always book a personal food education class with me here.