Click here to get a FREE GF Substitution Guide! 
Sign-up to become a part of our gluten-free community. As a gift for being a free member, you can download our Gluten-Free Substitution Guide -- over 40 pages of great gluten-free substitutes. As a member, we will also send you our latest updates, recipes, and special offers. We'll try not to bug you and we won't share your info.
What's the best part about being gluten free?
- Login to post comments
Most of the time being gluten free has a negative connotation. As I mentioned in my New Member Introduction, when I found out I had Celiac Disease, it was a dreadful moment. It was a dreadful day, week and beginning few months as a matter of fact. It was that disease and its complications that had contributed to my father's death. So, yeah-- it left a bad taste in my mouth, no pun intended.
Even though it has its challenges, I have to be positive. Being gluten free has its perks (besides the obvious of no more pain). For one, it's a healthy way to eat. When I look at the food I eat (for the most part-- come on, I'm not perfect) it's extremely healthy. The ingredients in my food are simple, all natural and have no preservatives. I can pronounce the ingredients. There are no chemicals or anything artificial. Furthermore, I have noticed that I eat more fruits and vegetables. There are no labels to read there.... it's easy!
Second, and possibly more important to me-- begin gluten free has helped with my mental health. There have been studies that link Celiac Disease with depression. One article I read stated that untreated Celiac Disease led to depression, possibly because of malabsorption of nutrients. Makes sense. If your body and brain aren't getting what it needs, it won't work the way it's supposed to. Some people may feel depressed because they physically feel ill-- from a gastrointestinal standpoint, or simply fatigue. I have noticed a change in myself and have also spoken to others who have noticed changes within themselves since going gluten free.
What's the best part for you?
Andrea, thank you for starting this thread!
Some of us are resistant to change, hard to convince, stubborn in our attitude that there must be a way to still eat wheat and feel good, and challenged by lifestyle and habits that are ingrained. That statement does not address your question as to what the best part about gluten free living is, which in my opinion far outweighs my previous statement. Gluten free living means feeling good! Knowing without question that ones body can not, will not, process gluten without side effects is priceless information.
Teaching my children where food comes from would rank highly on my list of why gluten free is great too. I see my daughter as a future awareness ambassador for others with gluten intolerance, and I teach her why she feels so much better when it is excluded from our diet. The over processed, high sodium, high sugar products kids eat are contributing to innumerable health risks for the next generation. Fruit, vegetables and foods prepared without chemical names we can’t pronounce have long sustained hard working, happy people. Getting back to the basics is a significant factor that can’t be overlooked in a gluten free life.
I appreciate your approach Andrea to stop being our own worst enemy by zoning in on the negatives, and embrace the positives of living gluten free!
Hi Kristine!
Glad to see you on the Gluterra website!
I think teaching your children where food comes from is extremely important. As you might already know, I'm a second grade teacher, so I try to do the same with my students. (I'm not a mom, but some days it feels like I am!) I agree that today's food is over processed and kids are eating way too much of it these days. Well.... people in general, even the big kids! Eating gluten free is definitely a way to "get back to the basics" as you said, and I think it's wonderful that you are taking the time to teach this to your children.
Teachers at school do try to help, but it kind of stinks when you walk into the school cafeteria and take a peek at what's being served. I make it a point to teach my students about My Plate (the new food pyramid) and what healthy eating is all about. I've also spent a lot of time talking about food allergies and even Celiac Disease.
Here's a website you can visit with your kids if you're so inclined: http://www.choosemyplate.gov They have some activities for children as well.
Thanks for replying to my thread. I'm sure your children are picking up on your positivity and the benefits of living a gluten free life style. Go you!
The best part of being gluten free for me isn’t any sort of health impact. I tolerate it fine. However, it’s my girlfriend who doesn’t. So, I’d say the best part of being gluten free is that we’re on the same page. As she can’t have these things, and they’re everywhere, it becomes a challenge. As a couple, this is a challenge that we get to work on together.
One of the first times I’d met her I’d heard her say “can I eat this”, and it didn’t really register. Now, though, that’s become a voice in my head. But, it’s not “can I”, or “can she” but “can we.” It’s for her, and it’s our battle.
Sure, it’s nice to step outside the box once and a while, and she use an enzyme to digest some deliciousness. Regularly, though, it’s a real joy to just be sharing this task together.
We plan meals together, shop together, choose restaurants together, and so on. As a couple, it draws us closer together.
As the guy, too, it also gives a chance to be the “knight in shining armor” by presenting my love with something amazing she can eat!
The best part of being gluten free, is supporting someone who has to be gluten free, and making it a wonderful experience.
I think the best part of being gluten free for me is similar to some of the others here -- I eat a lot more veggies and fruits, I read a lot more labels, and I have cut out a lot of carbs like french fries, which as my wife will tell you is my biggest weakness. All in all, it has made me a much healthier and more informed eater.
I used to just gobble up anything in front of me, having a tough-as-nails stomach, showing little regard for what I was actually putting in my body. The whole sickness and figuring out I needed to be gluten-free AND dairy free really has put things in perspective for me, and made me ask a lot more questions. I now want to know where a food came from, it's country of origin, ALL the ingredients, how it was prepared, and more. I can be a challenge when we go out to eat, but I think it's all for the best and definitely makes my life better when I can cut out some offending food at a restaurant by asking the right questions.
- Login to post comments