On Nov. 23, 2014, I was diagnosed with an AutoImmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. For those of you who aren't calendar wizards, that was the day before Thanksgiving. My doctor sat me down and told me I would now have to take about 17 supplements, completely cut out soy, and avoid any/all gluten because it was poison for my body. The day before Thanksgiving!There goes just about every delicious traditional dish... I sat there in a bit of disbelief... I am the girl who really pays attention to what she eats... who works out regularly... who talks to others about the importance of health & fitness.
How I did develop a disease that zaps my energy, causes mental fog, moodiness, memory loss, bloating, insomnia (the list goes on! haha Read more about my diagnosis here)
I was sad...and even more so mad! I loved gluten! All of my favorite foods: pizza, cookie dough ice cream,saltinecrackers, BREAD, ALL contain gluten. I would go grocery shopping, see the Gluten Free section, and feel sad for those people...and now I am one of them (omgosh karma)! The "Five Stages of Gluten Grief" were very real for me
- Denial - No way! This doesn't happen to me- I eat healthy foods! GF is a marketing ploy
- Anger & Overwhelm- This is bull crap and Gluten Free Foods suck butt. I don't even know where to start. This sucks.
- Rationalizing - What if I just eat ONE GF meal a day? What's the harm? It's less than I was eating before.
- Depression - My life is never going to be the same. Going out to eat is going to be awful-I'mjust going to stay home forever.
- Acceptance - Ok, Im hungry. I better figurethisout.
I am not a Gluten Free expert. In fact, I just got started 8 weeks ago...but here's what I can tell you.
- That massive feeling of overwhelm will fade and go away.
- You must become the master of your well-being. That means learning why it's good to ditch the gluten, paying attention to how foods make you feel, and adjusting your diet accordingly.
- Once you cut out gluten, you will wonder why it took you so long because you feel AMAZING
Getting Started:
Get Your Education:
My first week Gluten Free was a joke. I found reasons why it was ok to eat gluten ...until I did a little reading....
Several studies show a strong link between AITD (both Hashimoto’s and Graves’) and gluten intolerance.What explains the connection? It’s a case of mistaken identity. The molecular structure of gliadin, the protein portion of gluten, closely resembles that of the thyroid gland. When gliadin breaches the protective barrier of the gut, and enters the bloodstream, the immune system tags it for destruction. These antibodies to gliadin also cause the body to attack thyroid tissue. This means if you have AITD and you eat foods containing gluten, your immune system will attack your thyroidEven worse, the immune response to gluten can last up to 6 months each time you eat it. This explains why it is critical to eliminate gluten completely from your diet if you have AITD. There’s no “80/20″ rule when it comes to gluten. Being “mostly” gluten-free isn’t going to cut it. If you’re gluten intolerant, you have to be 100% gluten-free to prevent immune
destruction of your thyroid. (sourcehttp://chriskresser.com/)
YIKES! I don't want my body to attack itself!
Remember WHY you are doing this:
You are going to be tested and tempted. It's not going to be easy. In fact, it can be downright tough. Afterexperiencing"life after gluten" I will tell you...it's not even tempting to go back.Bloating,causes, stomach cramps and pain...not worth it! Trouble losing weight...trouble remembering things...trouble with anxiety, depression, mood swings...Not worth it. And what scares me the most...remember how I shared that your immune system will attack yourthyroidbecause it mistakes it for gluten? If that continues tohappen, then eventually yourthyroidwill be so damaged that it stopsfunctioning..and you will have to be on medication for the rest of your life.
The first time you go out to eat with family or friends... the bread basket is on the table, someone orders your favorite (gluten laden dish), and you really just want to forget your body is it's own worst enemy lol
That's more than enough reason to pass on the bread!
Quit Gluten Cold Turkey
Just stop! If temptation is in front of me, I am GREAT at coming up with "reasons" why I can have "just a little."
When I started P90X, one thing that really helped me was to clear any temptation out of the house. Out of sight, out of mind.
Clear out your fridge, pantry, cabinets or anywhere gluten might be lurking. Give the food to friends or neighbors.
Create a CLEAN SLATE in your kitchen!
Read,Researchand Reward!
Purchase a book (or two) to read up on Gluten and a cookbook to give you ideas! I don't know what I would do with my cookbooks I started with The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook to focus on eliminating triggers from my diet and healing my body. I love this book because shegivesrecipes ANDtwo months of meal plans
The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook: An Allergen-Free Approach to Managing Chronic Illness
Before you go out to eat, Google is your friend! Research the restaurants and menu!
Not every server will be knowledgeable about gluten free options (although many restaurants have now Gluten Free menus)
Here is an awesome resource with over 200 restaurants!
Reward yourself with a fun and delicious gluten free snack like these:Coconut Macaroons
Experiment & have fun Creating NEW favorites that are GF friendly!
There are so many options with gluten free breads, rice noodles,zucchinipasta, the options are endless! I did have to get used to new tastes. Cauliflower pizza doesn't taste like traditional pizza...but omgosh guys..it's amazing! Recipe:
Hmm, that looks Pinteresting!
Pinterest is LITERALLY an endless source of Paleo and gluten-free recipes.
Pin recipes that sound appealing and don't be afraid to branch out. You might surprise yourself.
Shop Around: What is the best grocery store to fit your needs?
Your local grocery stores might be different. Even stores in the same chain but different locations might be moreaccommodating. We have a store that is about 1 mile away- which is great for the basics. But I usually end up driving 15-20 min for my weekly shopping.
Almost every grocery store will have SOME gluten-free items. But I like to go where I find the best selection.
There is no shame in your Google game
I can't even tell you how many times I have googled, "Is there gluten in _____?" This stuff is confusing and when you are just starting out...it kinda feels like... well what the heck CAN I eat??? I invite you to join my Gluten Free group on Facebook where we are all learning, sharing and on this journey together!
But over time, you will adjust (I pinky swear). You have an advantage...gluten free information and options are becoming more available andprevalentevery day.
I promise if you keep it simple, keep reading and learning, and continue to have an overmind, you can become completely Gluten Free without buying a ticket on the Overwhelm train lol For more info, visit my Thyroid Page
