I always thought that going gluten-free was only for people with Celiac Disease, and those who did it otherwise were just jumping into the latest food craze. Little did I know that is far from the truth, and how going gluten-free literally changed my life.
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Are you curious about this gluten-free thing?
The Back Story – 2012 – 2014
It was 2012, and I had been out of cancer treatment for over one year. I was still sick. Every. Single. Day. Routine blood tests came back “normal” and my doctors encouraged me that all of the changes (chemo, menopause, Tamoxifen, etc) would take a toll on my body and take time to recover. I wasn’t convinced so I pushed for better answers. They ran more tests and found that I have an under-active Thyroid. Also known as Hypothyroidism. And in my case, specifically, Hashimoto’s Disease.
I found a “great Endocrinologist”. After close to a year, we found the right medicine dosage, and I also found the right timing of when to take it with my other meds so they wouldn’t conflict with each other. I was feeling a little better and had hopes of that trend continuing. But it didn’t.
Why I Gave Up
Even with the new meds, I woke up feeling sick every single day. I woke up so tired, I felt like I hadn’t slept in several days. The fatigue was so bad it was painful. It literally hurt to stay awake. The migraines would be so bad, I could barely see. My stomach was in a constant state of nausea and there were days that it was normal to take 4-5 trips to the bathroom to launch a space shuttle.
Would you have felt like giving up if this were you?
I gave up. Not because I’m a quitter, but because I thought that with everything I went through over the past few years, that this was my lot in life. I live a healthy lifestyle. I eat healthy – lots of fruits and veggies, no red meat, limited sugar so it couldn’t possibly be my diet. I even worked with a nutritionist who is known for her work with these types of conditions. My workout routine transitioned to walking five times a week and a short run on Sunday mornings if I was up to it. Walking was the only exercise that I had the energy to do. So I’m a healthy weight, live a healthy lifestyle, and have exhausted the options for blood work and lab work. It was frustrating to wake up every day and not feel better. But there was a peace about acceptance because I have a life that I want to live. This must be how I have to feel after everything I went through. I hate it, yes. But I’m tired of fighting my health. I have a full-time job, a home and family to take care of, and two businesses to manage. So I stopped complaining and tried to ignore how bad I felt.
The Epiphany
As a blogger, I get a lot of visibility into other blogs. I like following the healthy bloggers and seeing what they are up to. Time and time again, I would see recipes and articles covering the full spectrum of diets like Gluten Free, Vegan, Paleo, AutoImmune Protocol (AIP), GAPS, and Wahls. “These people either have some kind of disease or are one of those weird uber healthy people,” I thought. “What’s wrong with enjoying food? What’s wrong with a little moderation? How do these people survive outside of the bubble in their home? How do they go to parties? How do they go out to dinner? Why would they ever want to do that to themselves or their families?”
The exposure finally wore me down, melted my walls of ignorance, and opened my eyes. I started reading for education instead of judgment. I realized that I was one of those people. I realized that being healthy wasn’t good enough. I needed to make some drastic changes.
Would you have been scared to make drastic changes? Or would you jump right in?
Which Way Do We Go?
Yeah… I don’t do drastic food changes. I knew that if I tried any strict nutrition protocol, I would fail. Miserably. I needed to create a plan of action to succeed. All of these protocols seem to have their merits. But which one should I follow? I read, I researched, and I studied like my life depended on it. Women with the same issues and symptoms as me would swear by one protocol or another. The problem – a lot of these diets contradicted each other. Corn is ok. Corn should be banned. Coconut oil is ok. Coconut oil should be banned. Lentils are ok. Lentils should be banned. It was crazy confusing.
Additionally, these protocols were extremely strict. The women who wrote about being on these protocols all claim that you need to be 100% and never go back to the old way of eating. It’s all or nothing or you will fail and continue to feel sick. Knowing that I’m not one to be super strict, knowing that I need something “easy” to get me started, I decided on Gluten Free. Which ended up being GF with a little influence from Vegan, Paleo, and AIP. Believe it or not, there is even a movement called Paleo-Vegan. Crazy, right? If you have to label, I guess I would be considered Gluten Free Paleo-Vegan. I prefer to call it…. Clean-ish.
I talked to Hubby about it and assured him that nothing would change for him and Stepson. He was immediately and completely on board and said that we’re all in on whatever I need to do to improve my health. Cool beans. Wait… are beans GF? AIP? Ugh… I need to make a list. I’m thinking it will be easier to survive on air and lemon water.
Are you as confused as I am?
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Baby Steps to Clean-ish Eating
Fortunately, GF foods are now very mainstream in regular grocery stores. My first step was to eliminate major sources of gluten and substitute with healthy GF alternatives. I also eliminated “all” sugar except for fruit. I didn’t have any problem finding substitutes when I went shopping. I swapped out pasta, bread, cereal, flour, oats, breadcrumbs and anything else along those lines for the GF version. I didn’t worry about the “smaller” things like salad dressing or spices. I wanted to see if making a change on the bigger items would help. I found out that it can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to up to six months to start feeling better, so I didn’t have high expectations. I figure I would give it one month and if I didn’t see any improvement, I would decide where to go from there.
Hubby is totally fine with the changes, and Stepson hasn’t even noticed. According to him, GF tastes horrible, so at this point, some things are better left unsaid. The best part – I don’t miss anything. I don’t miss the sugar or the carbs. I haven’t even had a craving for a small treat. Whole and clean foods make up more of our diet now. I’m eating to fuel my body with healthy nutrients.
It’s also been a major experiment. The cleaner I eat, the more I can isolate trigger foods outside of GF. Long-term, I amped up a more vegan-ish diet and finding that an entire elimination of dairy is a good choice. I finally ended on a 90% plant-based diet and entirely GF.
My Challenge for You
We are all different. What works for me may not work for you. I’m finding that it’s difficult to be 100% on one protocol or another. There are merits to blending the protocols. There are merits to eating healthy with sweets in moderation. And there are merits to taking the time to learn about yourself and what foods fuel you and what foods drag you down.
I’m not advocating anything, other than to take care of yourself. But I do challenge you with this… learn what fuels you. Don’t assume that conventional wisdom and advice is correct, because it is constantly changing. YOU are your best health advocate. Love yourself.
Are you Inspired?
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Love, hugs, and no labels, just healthy.
Holly, I’m so glad that you’ve found a way to live healthier and feel better. I’m so happy for you. I’ve noticed that as I’m getting older, certain foods make me feel more lethargic. I’m working to limit them (since I have limited will power 🙂 Take care of yourself, my friend.
Hi Susan – I’ve been struggling for a long time, but for some reason, everything just kind of clicked all at once with what needed to happen. Hugs, Holly
Holly,
Your blog is providential for me. Please share your twists on the “normal” foods. Like you I am about a year out from Chemo and I am still feeling tired and sleeping more than normal. No thyroid issues, but I am having difficulty reaching my desired weight. As you know, with breast cancer lowering body fat is more critical to reduce recurrence risk. I don’t feel as bad as you described, but I am trying to make similar changes to move to a Clean Eating type of diet to see if it helps with the weight loss and fatigue. I am very encouraged to hear about how changing your diet helped you and excited to hear what specific modifications you have made to your diet. If you could continue writing especially about the details of your specific changes and compromises? I am always looking for more info on nutrition especially from someone similar to me in so many ways. Thanks so much for sharing your story and plugging along when you felt like crap so we could see you get to a better place.
Hi Sheryle – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your personal story and blessings to you my dear warrior sister. I’m not anti-gluten, as whole wheat IS healthy for most people, but these days, the food companies put so many additives into everything, I am convinced that is what is wearing us down. I never realized until now how much corn was a trigger for me, as I was a HUGE popcorn eater – we even made it naturally on the stove. I’ve also given up one of my absolutely favorites – plain Greek yogurt because of the dairy. I’m still in trial and error mode, but excited about experimenting. Good luck my friend, and listen to your body. It will tell you what no one else will. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Interesting article. I had an opportunity to be gluten free during high school because we’d discovered my younger sister had Celiac. As a family, we found it more expensive, but all of us benefited from being gluten or mostly gluten free.
Commercially, people shove gluten in some of the weirdest foods and become aware of all that empty calorie in store prepped foods has a huge impact on weight gain and how we feel day to day.
I don’t think gluten free or any top trend in healthy eating is what makes us feel better and lose weight. I think the stronger awareness of what we are eating and how much we are eating is really the true key.
Hi Jess – You totally hit the nail on the head… it’s the awareness of what and how much we are eating. What I find amusing is that the “optimal” cancer prevention diet is in contract with a lot of foods for Hashi’s. Crazy. Thank you so much for stopping by to share and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
This is what I needed to read this morning! My daughter (2) is in the works of being diagnosed, probably with Celiac. She has been dairy free since 6 months, but now I’m stressing because as a family of 4… AGAIN we have to adjust our families diet. Like you, it isn’t a choice, but a necessity. Which can make it feel more scary. So it has been sooo nice to see that we aren’t alone in this… Thanks for sharing at the Frugal Crafty Home Link Party. I’ll be following for sure!
Hi CH – Thank you so much for stopping by to share such a personal story. I can’t even imagine how difficult it’s been for you. I’ve read about how Celiac families have to have color coded containers and utensils and sponges. I never realized how severe it is. You definitely aren’t alone, my friend. Big hugs to you and your family and stop back and let me know how it’s going for you. Holly
HI. I’m gluten free and dairy free and mostly sugar free….(i love about 20 choc chips for dessert)
I had been diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) about 11 years ago….they put me on drugs for it and I took them until about a year and half ago. About that time, my eye dr warned me that though it wasn’t showing, the present drug that I had been on was dangerous to keep taking as it could make me blind. I mentioned it to my RA dr, he just scoffed.
Unhappy about drugs, I searched for another Dr….one who was a real Dr., but believed in a different approach….he took me off wheat, corn, dairy and sugar….as they all cause inflammation. He put me on a ton of supplements….and slowly took me off the drug.
Wow! Not only do I feel great, but, there has been no sign at all (three tests) of RA.
He actually feels that possibly what was mistaken as RA, was a stress mis-read….as I was going through major stress at the time and eating wheat and lots of dairy.
When occassionly I slide backwards and eat say a hamburger with a wheat bun, I know about it the day after.
It has been noted by Drs that wheat causes inflammation which is the main cause of diseases….
So, I am proud of you! Its a big jump and a hard one to carry through….keep it up!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Hi Nancy – Thank you so much for sharing your personal story. It’s always great to hear the testimony of others who have had similar struggles and are successful with taking charge of their health. Blessings to you for continued good health! Hugs, Holly
Great article. I am in a similar boat as you. I have been sick for the last 3 years. I eat pretty healthy, always have. I had a stroke a little over 2 years ago, was bedridden for 7 months, I came back, not like before, but I was able to work. Then it came back, whatever it was, and I was bedridden for 4 months. This time I have not come back. I stayed closed to the idea of changing my diet for months. In November I began to eat gluten free and it has changed things. I am still tired, I cannot work more than 10 hours a week, but it is helping. I think I may have to go a bit farther, paleo perhaps. But omitting gluten has helped immensely! Good luck to you, I hope these changes help you heal.
Hi Nikki – Thank you for sharing your personal story. I can’t even imagine how difficult it’s been for you the last few years. Blessings to you for improved health! Hugs, Holly
In 2004, I had health issues and my Aunt who has celiac suggested being tested for gluten antibodies. They came back positive. I went gluten free and my fatigue stopped, thyroid shrank, endometriosis improved, reflux stopped, gut problems resolved, joint problems improved. In 2014 I went “grain free” because other grains became an issue. Dairy is the next to go. I just read an article that said when your body produces antibodies against wheat protein, it can produce antibodies to similar proteins. Maybe that’s why the other grains and dairy are causing me rashes and symptoms now. 70 percent of your immune is in your gut, so I think what you eat matters! Glad your trying gf Paleo, vegan. PINNED your post!
Hi Michelle – Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am amazed how different I feel after making these changes. Corn is a big trigger for me, and I’m indifferent about corn, but I do love popcorn, so that makes me sad. I’ve had some moments where I miss eating something like a grilled cheese sandwich, but it’s fleeting because I just think of the consequences. Good luck on your journey and I hope to share some more as well. Hugs, Holly
Great Article, so honest and easy for others to follow!
Thanks Stacey! Hugs, Holly
Nicely done Holly. Listening to your body is the best thing we can do for ourselves. I wish health and happiness on your new journey.
WOW OH WOW OH WOW. Sir Gluten Dude commented on my little blog. Call the paparazzi folks, we have a celebrity sighting!!!!! Seriously, thank you for your kind words, and for all you do and for being so inclusive in your community to those of us who chose to be gluten free and don’t have Celiac. Big Warrior Hugs to Mrs. Dude for me. Holly
Holly – I’ve also benefitted from a gluten free lifestyle. My naturopath gave me this guide which is great
http://natmed.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/GF-Manual-Website-Resource-PDF.pdf
Hi Mercer – Thank you so much for stopping by to share! I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly. I have been doing research for a Summer Food Services Program and came across your blog post for the Food Desert Challenge. And then I clicked through to this post because I personally am gluten free without having Celiac Disease. My question is, I know you gave up sugar in everything except for fruit, but didn’t you find that most of the GF substitutes you were making for pasta, bread, etc had a ton of sugar in them? If the answer is no, would you care to share some brands? Thanks!
Hi Shayna – Sorry for the epic delayed response. I try not to use a lot of packaged foods, so what few GF packaged foods I use are like spaghetti once in awhile or fig bars with natural sugar. Mostly I make everything I can from scratch and use a lot of Bob’s Red Mill products. Hope this helps and blessings to you and your journey. Hugs, Holly