I thought it might be time to give you an update of my gluten free diet. For those who are not aware, I am on a three month strictly gluten free trial, in the hope that it will clear up my psoriasis (a skin condition). You can read about it all in full here.
I am just over halfway through.
I have faced a few challenges in my new gluten free life. It would appear that gluten is in almost everything, including so many things you would never expect. Want to make a simple bolognese sauce? Leave out the worcestershire sauce. Potato salad? Must make own mayonnaise (which is actually much yummier). Even the peppermints I love to chew on when driving contain gluten.
My biggest challenge has been eating out. All of a sudden, I am 'the fussy one' at the table and this is very hard to get used to. One night, after a long day waterskiing on Lake Eildon, we stopped off at the Bonnie Doon pub on the way home for dinner. It seemed okay when we looked at the menu: garlic prawns served with rice and salad sounded pretty safe. Unfortunately, this meal arrived covered in chips (why one would need chips with all that, I will never know, although to be honest I love chips so much that I wouldn't usually complain), which might be okay except for the fact that they are cooked in the same oil and fryer as all sorts of glutenous goodies. I declared it to be inedible and the waitress offered to check with the cook as to what I could have. When she returned with the cook's answer - 'what does 'gluten free' mean?' - I decided I was better off going hungry.
Eating in can also be difficult. The second night of my trial, we decided to have good old meat and veg for dinner. Crumbed lamb cutlets were decided upon, which we would prepare in two batches: mine first, using rice crumbs, and Steve and Abbey's after that, using standard breadcrumbs. Although in hindsight, I realised that although I had decided upon this plan, I had yet to inform Steve. I left the kitchen for a moment and returned to find the cutlets crumbed. Every last one covered in breadcrumbs, full of wheat. I went without my cutlets that night - a big sacrifice for me, as I love crumbed things more than life itself.
But the biggest positive from this whole gluten free thing: it has forced me to think about what goes in my mouth. I always eat pretty well, but now I have even more fresh vegetables, home-cooked meals and (shock of all shocks) fruit. No pastries (although I tried baking gluten free sausage rolls, but the 'pastry' has more in common with cardboard than actual pastry), the eating of sweets must be carefully thought out and planned, therefore decreasing their number, no huge bowls of pasta for lunch (the strange taste of gluten free pasta means I only want to eat a little at a time). Overall, a healthier way of eating.
And I feel less bloated. Oh, and all my pants are a little looser than usual.
So far, no difference to my psoriasis, but I will see out the trial. I guess these things can take a while to work their way out of your system.
Megan
7 comments:
I admire you for your perseverance!! The 3 months I had to go off of all dairy and soy for my nursing son were the longest ever. Though now I kind of wish I could've kept it up - you are right about the more whole, healthy foods! Good luck and the second half of your 'experiment' :)
It is crazy how gluten seems to be in everything.
Have you tried a sugar free diet for your psoriasis? I find my skin is near perfect when I have no sugar. (OK possibly once a week I induldge!)
Keep at it :) Going gluten free was one of the best decisions I ever made. It's more of a lifestyle choice, than a diet. I didn't expect to lose weight, just wanted to feel better! (which i did) I found the first few months hard and then it became second nature. It was cool to discover how strong you can be though - avoiding 75% of the food you're used to, sucked!
I admire all those who have to stick to a special diet of any kind - and those who have kids with special dietary requirements! It's hard enough coming up with what to eat when you have to put other things in to the mix!
Good for you. See it thru. x
I found out I am celiac nearly 10yrs ago now and it was such a relief after soo long of being sick. After a while you will get really good at finding things on a menu that you are able to eat - I eat a lot of grilled meat or fish and salad with dressing on the side. The more your body adjusts to no wheat the better you will feel. It takes a little bit of experimenting and trying the different accepted alternatives for things - some suck royally, but others are delish :) Good Luck
Congratulations you have done a fabulous job in following a GF Diet 100%. Some people say they are going "gluten free" and just don't eat bread and pasta, but as you know there really is a lot more to it than that!
I will be interested to see if it clears your skin. If not, it has taken you on a valuable journey anyway.
Good luck!
OH I feel with you!!! - I can't have gluten, dairy, sugar, honey and yeast. I didn't know that peppermint has gluten in it...oops. I have to focus on what I CAN have e.g. rice syrup to replace sugar.
I hope Caiti ^ is right. These diets are hard and made more difficult when dining out.
Mmm, now I am hungry *goes off to eat something*.
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