Her palms were sweaty, brows furrowed in a quizzical look as she asked me anxiously, “Wait, are you deathly allergic? The bartender says he can’t 100% guarantee the cocktails are gluten free. Even the tequila ones.”
“How do you mean?” I ask, eyeing my dinner companion with a smirk. “Tequila…is made from sugar cane…”
“Right,” she said exasperated, “but there could be flour in the air. In the mixers. I just want to make sure.”
“It’ll be fine, ” I reassured her. “I don’t have an allergic reaction to gluten the way people with a peanut allergy do. I don’t even have celiac disease. Gluten free is a choice.”
She looked quizzical and then went to get my drink. I prayed it didn’t include spit, gluten free or otherwise.
The Gluten-free “Fad” as we know it has become based loosely on science and largely based on the false promises of weight loss charlatans.
And some people, nearly 1 in 133 Americans according to University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, actually have the disease and a gluten free diet is not a choice.
Three and a half years ago I committed to the Paleo diet, omitting: wheat, dairy, salt, refined sugar, legumes, and grains. Hence, becoming gluten free. But, I also committed to eating large amounts of vegetables, (I like a 2-to-1 ratio lean meat to green veggies,) any meat, some fruit, nuts and oils. It’s a brave new world of products out there so menu-planning became easy over time, if not giving up Hostess cupcakes.
My body’s reaction to a gluten-free existence wasn’t easy at first. It actually felt like a cold; runny nose, congestion. But that only lasted a month. After that, I felt better than I ever had. My asthma improved and so did the severity of my cramping during menstrual cycles (sorry fellas.)
Like premium gas in a 1963 gun metal gray, Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, I felt AH-mazing and that feeling has lingered years later. I truly believe in eating a diet rich, if not entirely comprised of foods that decrease the inflammation in the body is the best thing you can do for yourself. Other smarty-pants science guys agree with me.
Oh! And for the record: Fruits and vegetables ARE carbs. Unless you only eat meat, dairy and fats there is no such thing as carb-free. NO SUCH THING!!!!
What’s more, grains create an allergic reaction in the body no matter who you are. We’re humans. We’re the most adaptable species in the world. I do not believe whole grains are healthier. Fiber can come from broccoli just as easily as grains. Calcium can be metabolized from spinach just as easily as milk without the lactose and hormone interference.
Disclaimer alert!!! I AM NOT a doctor or dietitian or even a weight loss charlatan. Just a gal who’s read up on the subject and drawn her own conclusions.
I recommend, The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain to start.
“Get to the point of your rant, woman!” The crowd cried.
Alright!
Here some grain free food for thought: gluten free alternatives can actually be worse than the real thing if you’re simply looking to fit into your skinny jeans and in my case, chase the ever-illusive 6-pack abs.
Gluten free products, like rice flour pasta, are very high in carbohydrates, I think. The recommended daily serving of carbohydrates is 300g (I’d cut that to 100g, and be very happy but that’s just me.) One serving of gluten free pasta can be like 50g of carbohydrates and have very little nutrient value. Plus, when was the last time you eat one serving, as measured by the package, of anything?
Read the packages. Gluten free bagels, bread, English muffins; very high in carbohydrates and low in nutrients. And if you think eating gluten free chocolate cake is somehow a healthy option…well…save me a seat in that delusional dream world where pigs fly and time moves backward.