My Journey Toward Gluten Free Eating

Last week I was detoxing. My brain was foggy for 2 days. I felt tired and irritable and I had hot flashes which I've never felt before. This was similar to my coffee detox in 2009 only worse. What did I give up that made me feel so icky? Wheat.

I recently started reading Wheat Belly and was shocked at all the health problems linked to this cash crop. The chapter on skin was what first convinced me try four weeks wheat free. I've had acne all my life and I'd resigned myself to living with it and just doing my best to limit it with the dermatologists help and my natural treatments.

Then I read in Wheat Belly about the numerous negative effects of wheat on the body. One way some people react to wheat is with acne. The author also mentions dairy and sugar as other foods that contribute to acne. I always thought this was a genetic problem and since my mom had bad skin I would too.

The author sites studies of isolated indigenous people groups with zero incidence of acne like the Japanese Okinawans who eat a very healthy diet which doesn't include wheat, dairy or sugar. When those foods were introduced, the incidence of acne among those peoples occurs at the same rate as the rest of the world.

The thought that I causing my own breakouts by making cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting appalled me. I immediately stopped eating problem foods and am now gluten and dairy free for at least 4 weeks. It could be forever.

This is a new journey for me and I don't know if I'll ever have wheat again. I'm also trying to transition my family to gluten free and I'm meeting resistance from my husband over giving up pasta and beer. My oldest son doesn't want to give up cookies or cakes but he's willing if there's a gluten free alternative. It's not something I want to fight about (yet) so I'm phasing wheat out of our house and not buying any more.

In the 11 years I've been a mom I've been trying my best to feed my family healthy foods that I make at home. I've avoided processed foods and focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and grass fed beef.  I'm now convinced that "healthy whole grains" are not healthy at all.

The thought of taking on something new is a bit overwhelming but I'm determined to try.

I share a full review of Wheat Belly here. If you've read it I'd love to hear your opinion. If you haven't are you interested in checking it out?

This post has been shared at: Wildcrafting Wednesday, Mama Moments, Clever Chicks, Homestead Barn Hop, Living Green Tuesday, Your Green Resource
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