Fortunately, adding in delicious, gluten free foods has become easier and easier the past few years, with many innovative and forward-thinking companies creating delicious products that are gluten free.
Benefits of Going Gluten Free
A gluten free diet is an eating plan that excludes gluten-containing foods from one’s diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For many people suffering with symptoms associated with gluten, the gastrointestinal discomfort is perhaps one of the worst consequences. Some common benefits noted with a gluten free diet include improved energy levels and mood as well as reduced joint pain and stomach discomfort.
Testing the GF Waters?
While blood tests can help diagnose diseases such as celiac, there is no hard and fast test for gluten sensitivity. Genetic markers from nutrigenomics tests can provide great information about genetic predisposition to gluten sensitivity and can be a good place to start. However, if you are looking for a cost-free way to see if the gluten free diet is for you, I recommend eliminating it from your diet for about two weeks to see if you begin to see a difference in digestive symptoms.
Keep a food journal throughout the weeks, documenting both what you ate and how you feel throughout the day. Once the time is up, introduce gluten back into your diet and take note of how you feel.
Finding Gluten Free Options:
The gluten free market has skyrocketed in the past decade. Nowadays, you don’t have to give up your favorite foods in order to eat gluten free. Here is a brief list of some of what I look for to help narrow down the choices:
● Pizza