I spent Thanksgiving week eating a lot of food I normally do not eat..mainly wheat. Lots of stuffing, gourmet breads, pumpkin pie and lots of yummy more. The payback was quite clear and apparent though. I immediately began blowing my nose like crazy and started to feel a little sluggish. I have been tested over and over for celiac disease but I always come out with normal labs, however, I know my body does not digest wheat/gluten properly.

There are 100s of fantastic gluten-free blogs and websites out there to help all or any of you to begin taking gluten products out of your diet. It really is not that difficult..it basically goes back to a whole foods diet - veggies, fruits, meats and legumes. Usually people do not believe me when I suggest that gluten may be affecting their health. I ask people to test it out by  eliminating all grains ( except for rice) for at least 2 weeks ( 6 would be ideal) and then have a “party day” eating grains all day long and observing their bodies for 24 to 72 hours. Most people are very surprised to see the results.

Ok, back to gluten-free living during the holidays. Here is a wonderful blog, gluten-free girl and the chef, and they have recently posted a recipe for holiday cookies ( who can resist the holiday cookie!). Here is another blog for gluten-free recipes and one for raw foods.

Happy Holidays!

People ask me about allergy testing all the time. The tests are quite expensive and the really the best test is an elimination of the suspected food for at least 6 weeks. People do become a little overwhelmed with this answer as it takes some work and thought but if your body is allergic or sensitive, it will tell you.

I find that gluten products are a big problem for people. With all the over-manufacturing of wheat, and the over indulgence of consuming wheat, has really lead to a nation of people who are sensitive or even allergic to the gluten protein in certain grains ( actually most grains except for rice). I suggest to people to start with eliminating all grains ( except for rice) from their diet. People think I am crazy at first but within a week they notice a huge difference - more energy, less fatigue, less mucus formation and brain fog goes away. Some people may not notice anything but when they re-introduce it 6 weeks later for what I call a “party day” they usually do not feel so well.

I am writing all this because I came across an article about gluten allergy and celiac disease. This is the one food allergy test that I do suggest to people ( especially after they have tried the elimination first). It is a test that just in the past few years doctors have been prescribing more often. If you have any suspicion that you or a family member ( chronic stomach aches or a baby who is not growing well or constantly anemic) than ask your doctor about  testing for celiac.

There are so many websites, cookbooks and foods in the grocery store that are gluten-free, it makes it easy to follow a gluten-free  way of living. Here is a list of some of my favourite sites:

1. Celiac Disease Foundation

2. Gluten-free Living

3.Gluten Freedon Source

4. Blog

5. Another Blog

Be well,

PS Here is another blog I wrote on this

I decided to go off all grains before getting pregnant with my second daughter.  I did this for about three months but when I returned home for the holidays I indulged in all the goodies my sister’s had made and I felt horrible - stuffy and tired the whole trip.  I realized that I had been feeling that way my whole life and that gluten products must have been playing a role in that!

Gluten is a wheat protein found in most grains. It is very difficult to digest and for some people it can cause celiac disease. This disease causes a disruption in the lining of the intestines, which increases permeability. This permeability allows other grain and milk proteins to cross over which causes an immune reaction.
Milk products seem to be on radar for food allergies and sensitivities but I actually find that gluten poses just as much a threat to our bodies. I have seen people complain of fatigue, foggy minds, hyperactive kids, sinus infections, and constipation who when removed all gluten from their diet noticed dramatic changes.

I suggest to people to commit themselves to a time period that they can really commit to eliminating gluten from their diet (so you need to be honest with yourself!). Ideally 6 weeks but even after 1 week people can see a difference. For this time period, do not eat any grains (some brown rice is ok). On your last day, have a party and eat grains all day and note how you feel. You may not have realized that you felt bad before, and then after eating a normal daily load of grains your body will show you. You can try this with any foods. To me, it gives a much more accurate view of how your body responds to foods (versus a food allergy test

This blog, gluten free Mommy, is a great place to go for recipes and support on a gluten free life.

Be well,