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GLUTEN: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
Gluten is the protein part of wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found in a wide variety of foods; especially processed foods. Here’s the problem: Many people are allergic to gluten and don’t know it.
In our society, we are bombarded with grains. They are everywhere. Grains, especially processed grains, have become the main staple in our diet. Many people don’t even eat fruits and vegetables on a regular basis anymore.
The major allergic reactions to gluten are inflammatory responses. Symptoms such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as aggressive behavior are common. Wheat and gluten can also cause irritability, lethargy, and is a major contributor in the epidemic of obesity.
MY FIT LIFE
When I eat wheat, especially processed wheat, it makes me feel extremely tired. At times, I will notice that I become more aggressive. I will get irritated at situations that normally wouldn’t affect me. Many of my clients and friends have reported similar reactions to eating wheat.
As mentioned above, grains are used in many processed foods. The following terms found in food labels may mean that there is gluten in the product:
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, or Vegetable Protein
• Flour or Cereal Products
• Malt or Malt Flavoring
• Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch
• Vegetable Gum
• Soy Sauce
• Malt Vinegar
Also, any of the following words on food labels usually means that a grain containing gluten has been used:
• Stabilizer
• Starch
• Flavoring
• Emulsifier
I have seen many people come off of gluten and they have experienced radical changes in their lives. They act, look, and feel remarkably better. People that were once bed ridden now lead healthy vibrant lives.
Some of the positive effects of a gluten free diet include:
• Relief of body aches and pains
• Relief from depression
• Increased energy
• Weight loss
Of particular interest to women: I have found that women who eliminate gluten from their diet find it much easier to lose weight and keep it off. Relief from PMS symptoms has been reported by my clients as well.
GLUTEN-FREE FOOD TAGS
You are going to start to see “gluten-free†tag’s on many products in the supermarket, especially Whole Foods type markets. It’s like a buzzword right now. This is not a bad thing. Remember, what I have found with people is that if they can cut gluten out of their diet it is much easier for them to obtain a desirable body weight. In other words, you will lose weight and keep it off with less effort. It takes a little time to learn which foods do and do not have gluten in them, but once you do it becomes second nature and it is not a problem at all. It is definitely worth the effort.
Grains that do not contain gluten:
• Corn
• Rice
• Arrowroot
• Buckwheat
• Millet
• Amaranth
• Quinoa
You’re probably asking yourself this question right now:
Is it really worth the effort to cut gluten out of my diet?
The answer is YES!
Let me give you a personal example of how it helped me:
I like to run in 5k races. Here’s the problem, I was limited on the amount of times I could run a 5k every year because my left knee would get sore every time I trained for an event.
At the request of a naturopathic doctor, I cut gluten and corn from diet. I didn’t want to, but I did.
And, it was the wisest decision I’ve ever made.
Today when I run in a 5k, I have zero knee pain. Can you believe that? No knee pain whatsoever!
All this because I cut gluten and corn from my diet.
Note: I completely cut gluten form my diet for three weeks in a row. That’s it. That is how quickly you can see the benefits.
Nowadays, My diet isn’t 100% gluten free. It is almost impossible to remain gluten free in our modern world. However, I am probably about 99% gluten free.
Why? Because I like living pain free, maintaining my energy levels, and being in control of my emotions.
Staying away from wheat and gluten does all of these things for me. 
What do you think?
Do you have any food allergies? Or, do you think you might have some food allergies that you don’t know about?
Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear what you have to say!
Committed to your success,
Alexander Morentin, C.E.S.
Whole Foods Evangelist
My Fit Life
Food Matters
Tags: Food Matters, fibromyalgia, food allergies, Gluten, gluten free, processed foods, quinoa, weight loss, wheat, whole foods
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Tags: fibromyalgia, food allergies, Gluten, gluten free, processed foods, quinoa, weight loss, wheat, Whole Foods
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6 responses so far ↓
1
orneryswife (Who am I?)
// Jun 27, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Interesting that many of the things listed above as containing gluten also contain MSG, which is another additive that causes many of the same symptoms–fatigue, aches, difficulty losing weight, etc. –for all I know that may be what adds the gluten to the food. Another GF whole grain we really like is Teff, but it isn’t as easy to find. We don’t necessarily stay away from all gluten, but we do find we are happier and healthier without wheat. So, we eat Spelt bread, and don’t bring any wheat into the house.
Interesting article.
TM
2
Darlene Norris (Who am I?)
// Jun 28, 2008 at 4:24 am
I hadn’t thought about gluten being a problem. My husband is a diabetic, and we’ve gotten him off his meds by eating a healthier diet. But he’s needs to lose weight, he has a degenerative form of arthritis which is debilitating, and he does get irritated over things easily at times. We eat many of the gluten-free grains on your list, but we do eat wheat products, too. I’ll need to try this out and see if it helps. Thanks for a good article.
3
Mark McCullagh (Who am I?)
// Jun 28, 2008 at 5:09 am
Great “food for thought” 9sorry about the pun).
I have known quite a few people who went gluten free with good results as well.
I have also heard that whole wheat (very popular these days) is very hard on the digestive tract.
What about bran buds?
4
Alexander Morentin (Who am I?)
// Jun 28, 2008 at 11:06 pm
@ oneryswife,
Great job on staying away from wheat and not bringing it into the house.
MSG is a whole other subject.
Suffice it to say that MSG is known as edible nicotine because of its highly addictive qualities.
I will definitely discuss MSG in a future post.
thanks.
5
Alexander Morentin (Who am I?)
// Jun 28, 2008 at 11:29 pm
@ Mark,
Severe cases of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, can cause severe gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms vary from person to person; ranging from mild to severe. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye.
Also, I had not heard of bran buds before, so I looked them up on the internet.
According to the manufacturers, they contain wheat, which means they definitely contain gluten.
They also contain high fructose corn syrup, which is horrible for you, and they also contain BHT which is a harmful preservative.
If I were to eat cereal, I would eat organic whole grain oatmeal (no instant packs).
It does contain gluten, but it is a “lesser evil” compared to other cereals which are processed, contain harmful preservatives, and are fortified with synthetic man made vitamins.
6
otmar wittine (Who am I?)
// Jun 29, 2008 at 4:22 pm
just givin you a shout out to say that you are stirring up alot of interest out here…gonna have to get a copy or 10…here’s to the continued sprading of the knowledge
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