The term "gluten" has been adopted into our vernacular lately, but most people don't really understand what it is or how it can possibly be unhealthy to eat.
Click HERE if you want to read more about gluten, or here's a simpler definition by Gluten-Free Girl's blog:
Gluten is the elastic protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Its elasticity is why French bread holds together, why angel-food cakes rise so high, and why H and H bagels in New York are so wonderfully doughy. Gluten is the glue that holds together baked goods and pasta. In fact, gluten comes from the same Latin root as glue. Think of gluten as the glue of wheat, rye, and barley.
Let me just say that not ALL people are affected by gluten. If you're not, wonderful. Continue enjoying your pizza, cupcakes and bagels. However, how do you know you're not affected by gluten if you don't eliminate it for a period of time to see how you respond?
I honestly didn't think gluten had any affect on me. I would say I had a high-gluten diet because I was always concerned with getting enough fiber. Why did I need lots of fiber? (Here goes the w.t.m.i. - way too much information...)
When I was a wee, little girl, I used to get constipation. (Haha... yes, it's funny. And constipation is a funny word.) I remember my mom having to come over and rub my back to get me to relax to poop.
I'm on the left with the look of consternation, I mean, constipation.
But everyone, even Flat Kathy, poops.
As I learned more about nutrition (and used WebMD), I started paying attention to my fiber intake, knowing it'll help me with the BMs. Even with eat whole wheat bread and pasta, granola, oatmeal... you name it, it helped but there are times when it, frankly, still hurts.
Now that I haven't had gluten... let's just say, pooping ain't so bad.
Another weird body thing I have is something I have affectionally named TGS - Trapped Gas Syndrome.
Sometimes, after I eat, I get super painfully bloated. The annoying part is that the gas is TRAPPED! If you've ever been trapped somewhere, what do you do? You start banging on the walls and kicking things until you're released. That's exactly what the gas is doing to my digestive region.
Since I have cut out gluten, I haven't experienced TGS and it's amazing!
It'll be interesting to see what happens as I incorporate the items I am fasting from back into my diet. I may need you to pick me up a box of Gas-X before you take me out to dinner.
You make me laugh out loud. And not just when you're talking about poop. And you're inspiring me to possibly try this cleanse thing to see what differences it makes in my body. Keep up with the program Kathy! And remember, fish are friends, not food!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassia! I love your blog, too, but I have to refrain until the cleanse is done bc the food and wine look way too delicious! Let me know if you do decide to go on the cleanse!
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDelete1. You crazy.
2. My question is this: If you are excluding so many variables from your diet and dramatically upping your intake of other types of food -- How do you isolate gluten as the solution to your poo and TGS problems?
3. Much love.
Hi Ali baby!
ReplyDeleteSo I haven't been eating meat for a while now, so I know it's not that. I think the culprit is either gluten or dairy. I'm ruling out caffeine because, well, you know...
What I plan on doing at the end of this cleanse is adding on one item back at a time, to see what happens. So maybe two more weeks without dairy and eggs, and start eating gluten again.
And gluten is the one most linked with digestive problems. So yes, maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but I do that all the time.
I will keep you posted.