I love bread, doughnuts, cakes, crackers, biscuits and cookies. BUT, I've been reading a lot about how the wheat and flour we use now is way different than the wheat and flour our grandparents used. Wheat used to be about 4 feet tall in the fields and now, thanks to hybrids and technology, its only about 2 feet tall. What else did they change? I don't know for sure, but I don't like what I am finding out. Waiting on my copy of "Wheat Belly". I want Lliam and Lance to go GF too, but so far I am finding a lot of resistance. I have my work cut out for me. I want Lliam to be GF because of his Asperger's and Lance to be GF because of his diabetes. I been reading blogs and forums and cookbooks. I even subscribed to a free online cooking class to learn recipes and such for GF.
I have been GF for 1 week now and haven't noticed much a change in how I feel, but after years of eating gluten full foods, I suspect it might take awhile to see a difference. So what have I been eating? Lots of skinless chicken, fresh fruit, fresh and frozen veggies, dairy products, and rice. I am learning that there can be wheat products in foods I never would have suspected. I love those caramels with the cream centers. I read the label, the first ingredient was wheat. WHAT!? Those have been removed from the favorites list.
I went to the natural food store on the way to work the other morning and picked up a few things. I bought some chips that are made out of black bean flour and flax. They are really good and taste a lot like regular tortilla chips. Most tortilla chips are ok to eat, but I wanted to try something certified GF and see if I liked it.
The other evening the family went out to eat at Pizza Hut. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat pizza (sniff, sniff tear falling down my cheek cuz I love pizza), so I ordered the salad bar. I went up to fix my plate and OMG, there were gnats all over everything! I am not kidding. It was so gross. I put my plate back and returned to my seat. I was ready to leave, but the boys wanted their wings and pizza. So there I sat, watching them eat. I was so bummed. I won't be eating there again for a very, very, very long time. The bad thing was, after I told the waitress about the bugs, no one did anything to remedy the problem. I think I will have to call the health department. GROSS!
I have also stopped drinking pop. That has been the hardest thing to do. I know it doesn't have gluten in it, but its not good for me and if I am going to do this, I am going to do it right. The caffeine headaches are the worst. I am managing though. I am drinking lots and lots of water and tea.
I am thankful that I don't have Celiac disease. I would have to be even more vigilant about what I am eating. At least right now, if I do slip up, it doesn't mean life or death. I will just have try harder to know what is in my food.
Here's a few things you can eat if you want to get started on this altered eating plan.
* Fresh veggies and salads, just watch your dressings.
* Fresh fruit
* Meat/fish/chicken/seafood and eggs - no self basting birds! If breaded - make sure the label says GF
* Beverages - Water, teas, coffee, 100% fruit juice and sodas if you want to.
* Fats/Oils - veggie oil, EVOO, canola and shortening - not sure about peanut checking on that.
* Dairy - Unflavored milk, cream, aged cheeses (be wary of processed cheese), most yogurts, salted butter (unsalted has 'natural flavor' that could contain wheat), margerine, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream
* Frozen - Plain fruits and veggies (sauces probably have wheat products as thickeners), most ice creams/sherberts, gluten free waffles and pancakes
* Snacks - Potato chips (be wary of flavored), corn chips, popcorn, rice cakes, rice crackers, plain nuts/seeds, gelatin, puddings (read the labels)
* Packaged/Canned - Plain fruits/veggies, tuna, chicken, dried beans, lentils, peas, most baked beans.
* Cereals/grains - Cream of Rice, grits, puffed rice, plain brown or white rice, corn tacos, tortillas, rice Chex, corn Chex.
* Condimens - Jams, jellies, marmalades, honey, peanut better, corn/potato starch, corn/maple syrups, molasses, brown/white/powdered sugars, spices, herbs, salt and pepper, relish, pickles, olives, ketchup, mustard, distilled vinegars, (no malted),most salad dressings.
Well that's enough for today. It can be very overwhelming at the least. So digest this and then keep checking back to see what I've discovered.
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