I have been gluten free for about three weeks now; although I have had slip ups. I'm just not used to the fact that so many food use gluten as a binder. Gluten even exists in BBQ sauce, one of my favorite condiments.
As of this summer I became very conscious about the foods I put into my body because I realized how much my body suffers from consuming too much of certain foods and not enough of others. This meant cutting out most of my dairy intake, primarily cheese. But I also drink my coffee black. I also cut out a lot of sugar however, since starting back to school, my sugar has definitely increased, I think it is all of those trips to Yogurtland. I know yogurt is dairy, but for some reason it impacts me in a good way, instead of negatively.
But as of three weeks ago I was told by the Dr. to try to be gluten free for six weeks to see if some of my symptoms, inability to digest food, constant itchiness, and general sloth-like behaviors. There was also a scare that this might be related to my having MS. So I am hoping it is a gluten issue and not the other. So I have stopped consuming so many of my normal foods, or replacing them with gluten free varieties.
With this, I have to admit, I feel probably 50-75% better most days, more days closer to the 75% mark. This is promising. However, it makes it hard to eat and I get annoyed when someone is making pasta and I have to be like, "Oh, I can't eat that." I become annoyed with myself, for being privileged enough to make dietary choices. I'm sure many people with gluten intolerance/sensitivities do not have the choice to buy the more expensive gluten free varieties of foods.
But, at the same time, just because I am privileged to make these choices should I not make them so as to stand in some sort of solidarity with those less-privileged by not consuming them? I am going to say no because I won't be standing at all if I continue to eat the way I had for years without putting any thought into it and if I continue to consume products full of gluten. But it is hard and I am often conflicted by my desire to want to hold myself accountable to my privileges and needing to take care of my body which according to Ayurvedic thought and medicine is all about the foods we consume and at what times during the day/month/season we consume them.
I will say I am lucky to be discovering this in Colorado because there are so many places that cater to those needing gluten free foods. For instance last night at Watercourse, the hipstery Uptown restaurant in Denver, I was able to eat a gluten free vegetarian meal and finish it with amazing gluten free chocolate cake and vegan ice cream. Quite the indulgence, but, when it's available I feel like I need to seize the moment and eat. I am not vegetarian and definitely not vegan, but this place and its sister restaurant, City O City do at least offer gluten free options. So, it isn't as challenging as it could be. My new lady is also very supportive of this huge switch in my dietary consumption. She often checks things more thoroughly then I even do when at the grocery and is willing to get the gluten free pizza because they only make it in the large size. So I am lucky for that too and to have a supportive best friend who said he would eat that way around me too, in an act of solidarity, in great hopes that this proves to be a gluten allergy and not MS. Everyone seems really supportive of that idea at the very least.
3 comments:
I think it's great that you checking out diet as a way to mediate some of your symptoms. I've found that since cutting out dairy, a lot of my digestive problems have gone away.
It's definitely not easy to make such diet switches (I've been vegan for most of March), but I think it is definitely important to consume your "special diet" in public. If for no other reason that increase awareness of the impact food has on our bodies, and to make restaurants and stores aware of the demand for healthier, more varied products. :)
Katie,
Thank you for the support. I have been following some of your blog posts too about being vegan and know other folks who have done it for Lent(en?) I think anytime we make switches to our diet we become much more aware of what we put into our bodies and how that impacts how we feel.
And your thoughts on doing that publicly is really smart. Part of the reason for the success of the "Eat This Not That" books is that it made all of that food stuff public (especially the info many chain restaurants want to keep hidden.) So, yes, making various dietary choices available at restaurants seems important in potentially making larger social changes in regards to making more halthy options available to all people and not just those in privileges positions.
I wouldn't worry about the privilege stuff- your health comes first, and having knowledge about what is in food and what it does to your body can only be a good thing. I know eating healthy is expensive (I am feeling the pain!). But it only seems expensive and privileged because we have grown up thinking food is cheap, which is a construct of our culture. In the global perspective, you are eating a lot closer to the global "normal" now. I am glad your dietary choices are helping you feel better!
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