My Gluten Free Story

My reaction when I found out I was allergic to gluten:

But seriously, what is gluten?
Gluten is the protein found naturally in wheat, rye and barely.  It's the "glue" that holds together pizza dough and makes bread fluffy.  Without gluten (or something like it), cake, cookies and bread would turn into a big crumbly mess on our plates.  Many people think that gluten is only found in bread but it can also be hidden in soy sauce, candy, and canned soups.  I learned the hard way that gluten is hidden in many of the foods I love (like my favorite, red licorice).  I know what you're thinking, "A diet with no bread, pasta, or cake!?  Sounds impossible."  So what made me go gluten free?

My Road to a Gluten Free Diet
I didn't always live on a gluten free diet.  When I was a freshman in high school, my favorite food was bread.  I ran on the cross country team for my school and would immediately eat 3 slices of buttermilk bread everyday when I got home from practice.  Back then, I could eat sandwiches, pizza, or pasta without worrying if it would make me sick.  (I have to admit, sometimes I really miss those days)

My sophomore year of high school I started noticing that I was getting very bloated and was having painful stomach cramps every time I ate.  At first the symptoms were bearable but after a few months, they started getting so bad that I would double over in pain a few hours after eating.  I started missing school because I was so tired, had headaches, and stomachaches.  My mom took me to countless doctors and specialists who did tests and all told me I was a "mystery" to them. (Celiac and gluten intolerance weren't as common back then)  I felt so discouraged that I was still in pain but nobody could figure out what was wrong.

I finally started doing an elimination diet and realized that I felt much better when I didn't eat bread.  I started eating only fruits, veggies, and brown rice and realized that my symptoms went away when I was on that diet.  I was eventually told by a specialist that I had gluten sensitivity (or gluten intolerance) which means that my body doesn't like gluten but I can eat a little of it every once in a while (unlike Celiac disease, which requires a strict gluten free diet).

My Gluten Free Life Now
Since being diagnosed with gluten sensitivity when I was 15, I have stuck to an (almost) completely gluten free diet.  I do cheat every once in a while but I pay for it when I do.  In college, I lived off of beans, eggs, and rice instead of top ramen.  It hasn't been the easiest lifestyle, but I am learning as I go.  Living gluten free is becoming much easier now that there are so many gluten free options in restaurants and grocery stores.  I'm learning how to make delicious gluten free meals at home that my husband (who doesn't need to eat gluten free) even loves.  I can't wait to share more gluten free tips, recipes, and resources with you on this blog!

Do you have a gluten free story or any questions for me?  Share in the comments or send me an email.