Gluten-Free “Diets” — Fad or Fact?

I have allergies to wheat, oat, and apple. They make me insanely ill…even the teensiest bit of cross-contact and I’m sick: swollen throat, painful ears, upset stomach, wheezing, and general fatigue. I have actual medical test results in my files showing I have these allergies. And yet I still have some friends and family who think this is just a diet.

Not many people understand celiac disease, wheat allergies, or even wheat/gluten intolerance. They all have one major thing in common: zero tolerance for wheat. It’s not a fad diet, it’s the way we wheat/gluten-free people have to live.

Gluten-free eaters around the world must scrutinize every food label carefully – gluten can be found in everything from hot dogs, ice cream, salad dressings, canned soups, dried soup mixes, non-dairy creamers, processed cheeses, cream sauces, and hundreds of other common foods.

The increasing availability of information, and gluten free products is a welcome change. Even 6 years ago when I was first diagnosed, I could hardly find information let alone gluten-free products. I’m excited to see more and more companies springing up in the gluten-free market: Kinnikinnick, Ener-G Foods, GlutenFree.com, and so many others that I haven’t had the chance to explore yet.

For many of us, failing to follow a gluten-free diet could cause other health problems later in life, including osteoporosis , infertility and possibly other autoimmune diseases. My sister has Crohn’s Disease (her symptoms started in her early 40′s), and I’m trying my absolute best to avoid the same diagnoses. Taking care of my body, and avoiding gluten could help me stave off the incurable, painful disease.

My point is…the majority of people eating gluten free don’t do it because we want to. We do it because we need to in order to preserve our health. And I think it’s our job to spread the word of gluten free – share our resources, recipes, and personal stories. Comment, share your links and stories…tell us how living gluten-free (or living with someone who is) has affected your life.

{Brought to you by Erin}