Wife wants to go Gluten Free

ValGogo

I love the things like water and fruit that say "gluten free"

I do not understand these things.

Seriously....WTF.

apriljackss

I am gluten and dairy free, so imagine how happy that makes my fiance . In all seriousness though, he loves the meals that I cook at home, all of which are gluten and dairy free. He knows good and well if he wants something different, he's welcome to have it, for instance, if he wants to heat up a roll with his dinner, or eat a sandwich while I eat a salad, etc. I think it sounds more daunting than it really is. I am a self admittedly huge pain in the a** to go out to eat with so typically we stick with the same few places. However, if he wants to get take out from somewhere I can't eat at, he just does. It hasn't been an issue. Your role is to be supportive of your wife's choices, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your own sanity! She should also be supportive of your decision, give and take.

chloematilds

I love the things like water and fruit that say "gluten free"

I do not understand these things.

Seriously....WTF.

I even saw a tofu labeled as "gluten free" in Albertsons in their "organix section". I think some people equate gluten free to "organic"

ValGogo

I think it's funny that people say that going gluten free is a fad...It's actually becoming a very real thing for MANY, MANY people.

Gluten intolerance is becoming more and more prevalent in people and I find it funny that no one is wondering why. I personally think it's because the grain today is not the same as the grain that it was years ago. There is so much hybridization and genetic modification of the grain now that you can't even be sure what is in it.

This. And then look at what wheat is...a seed...what's a seed's purpose? To survive through the gestational tract of creatures so that it can be pooped out, grow, and carry out the survival of that species...if it's hard to digest how can it be good for your body?

I say fad too. Lets look at another angle. we have become such an antibiotic, hand-cleanser, flu-shot-getting, mask wearing society that (and I could be wrong) I don't think we build up immunities like we used to.

We can't really control what gets mass produced but we can get a little more educated on our own instead of villifying everything or jumping on every bandwagon.

YES, there are people with Celiac disease and peanut allergies...I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the people who turn vegan because their friends are or wear red strings on their wrists because now they are now kabbalists (where are they now, Madonna?!); I'm talking about those people who don't think for themselves. Or do soemthing and think that their SO HAS to do it with them.

ON a different note, I give credit to people who can say they are doing something like eliminating gluten and stick to it (honestly, I've wondered for years about gluten and if that's why I have some skin issues). So on that note, if you are one of those, kudos for having the will and stamina.

Sallyrose5994

She's had some fairly consistent constipation/IBS issues/headaches over the years, however not on a daily basis...so that leads me to think she doesn't have celiac's per se, but could be slightly intolerant. She works closely with a doctor who also specializes in nutrition, and recommended this as a trial to see if that could possibly be the cause of the IBS/turtle slow weight loss. So she didn't go to a doctor specifically for this, but has had these discussions. This doctor was the one who recommended wheat belly, as he has been GF for around 5 years now through finding his own intolerances to gluten.

She doesn't want to get into the specific and expensive GF foods, for the reasons mentioned here such as cost, and added calories amongst other things. Mostly at home we stick to meats, vegetables and fruits with some simple carbs like potatoes, brown rice or sweet potatoes, and we've done away with almost all processed package foods (we have a few for our young son).

I'm glad some other people on here are supporting their families who have actual celiac's, however the concept of cross contamination sounds daunting to say the least.

I have been "gluten free" for the past 10+ years due to a sensitivity and not celiacs and I do what you said above and stick to eating meats, vegetables, fruits, and rice. I also think that you can easily get good brown rice noodles these days and so you can still do lots of great pasta dishes. Occassionally I have an expensive GF treat or use almond flour or rice flour to thicken things or make a pancake or something. I actually think that I eat more "tasty" food than before because I was "picky" growing up and basically ate junk food all the time, and now I eat all kinds of different foods and love vegetables and my eating habits have done a 360.

It sounds like your diet is pretty low on gluten already so it probably won't affect you too much. My husband and kids still eat gluten and it is not a big deal for me. I think the foods I eat are super tasty and being gluten free has opened up my eyes to many new and interesting foods. I am not sure why people get "offended" when people are gluten free. I mean, its up to each person to eat what they want and makes them feel the best. I think your wife should give it a try and I hope it helps her stomach issues and speeds up her weight loss. I would be supportive because she is trying to do her best to be healthy and happy. Good luck to you both!

ValGogo

I love the things like water and fruit that say "gluten free"

I do not understand these things.

Seriously....WTF.

I even saw a tofu labeled as "gluten free" in Albertsons in their "organix section". I think some people equate gluten free to "organic"

haha

anglyn1

I'm gluten free due to celiac and my husband isn't . At home we mostly eat things that are naturally gluten free. Typical dinners are grilled or baked meat or fish with a veggie and a side such a baked/mashed potatoes or rice, tacos with corn tortillas, beef stew, chili, various casseroles, some Indian or Thai dishes, etc. Stuff that wouldn't really jump out at a dinner guest as being gluten free. The only special products I typically buy are a baking mix for Sunday waffles and gluten free bread. Outside of the house my husband eats whatever he wants and if he wants regular bread I buy it for him. However because I'm on the diet for medical reasons we can't share the toaster and we have to be very careful about not sticking knifes back into the condiment jars after they've touched his bread. So with a little care it's totally not a big deal for us.

One thing I must say is if your wife goes out to eat and asks for a gluten free meal please make sure she follows through with the entire meal as if she were celiac. If her salad has a crouton, she needs to send it back and tell them she can't tolerate even a crumb and to remake it. So many people on the diet for non-medical issues order from the gluten free menu and then eat from the bread basket or add on a beer or a dessert as a "treat". Wait staff have a hard enough time grasping the importance of the diet without fad dieters making it look like it's really not a serious threat. Not trying to be hateful but it's really frustrating to people whose health depends on the diet being taken seriously.

Cortelli

Haven't read the thread but I assume someone has already said "Just break up."

chloematilds

Did not lady gaga "Balloon up" when she said she went "gluten free"?

I think some people have no clue what the heck gluten really is (hint: kind of protein!) and think that it is what is causing the "obesity crisis".

cpdiminish

I see a couple of misunderstandings being spread in this thread.

If you are eating primarily foods that don't contain gluten in the first place (meats, vegetables, fruits, and there are plenty of grains that are naturally GF) you wouldn't see any difference in the cost of your food. But if going gluten free also meant switching from processed crud to real food, then sure, you could see a jump in your grocery bills. I don't recommend the premade gluten free products that do cost more than their gluten equivalents at all. They are higher in calories and half of them taste awful. What you are paying for is convenience.

Again, I haven't read the book, and probably never will because I agree that some of what it is preaching is just hypothesis, but that doesn't mean that there aren't problems with our current wheat production. Just in the past 50-60 years, plants that produce way more gluten than their predecessors have become the only types available. The way bread is made has cut out a lot of the fermentation process that previously added valuable nutrients in favor of speed and profitability, and you have the issue of chemical toxicity.

Today, 50% of the wheat tested is found to contain one neurotoxin and 20% another. That is chemicals that are known to have negative affects how our brains function! And they kill bees which we need to survive.

There are 14 other pesticide residues commonly found on wheat. And that is just the pesticides. That doesn't include the chemical fertilizers, the herbicides, nor the fungicides applied to wheat after it is harvested. Today's wheat is a toxic stew compared to what our great grandparents were eating when they were growing up. Buying organic does help reduce this problem considerably, not to mention that it keeps all of those chemicals out of the water and earth as well.

It is very likely plenty of people who respond well to a gluten free diet do so simply because it could be reducing the amount of toxins that they are exposed to.

But celiac and gluten intolerance are very poorly understood by many doctors and false negatives are common in testing. Not only are too few who actually have celiac even diagnosed, even fewer who have gluten intolerance are. While guestimates are that something like 3-5% of the population in the U.S. have celiac, some of what I have read projects the percentage who suffer from any sort of gluten issue could be as high as 30%. And in my experience, doctors are so clueless about the symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac that such a huge discrepancy in diagnosis could actually be happening.

knittnponder

First, I've read wheat belly and my personal experience is he's wrong. Taking out gluten will not magically make you lose weight. In fact, when I went GF, I gained weight because I was busy making all these wonderful gf foods so my family didn't feel deprived. I had gone GF long before I read the book but for me it was because of health issues. After having gone GF the health issues improved but didn't leave completely. I am now pretty much grain free now. (Mostly. I'll have a little here and there but never corn or gluten because those hate me.)

When we first tried a gluten free diet it was actually for one of my kids who was having issues. It was after she saw improvement and I realized how much better I was feeling without it that I accepted it was right for me too. I will effect you. It's easiest for everyone (especially the cook) if the whole family eats like that, especially if it's due to an intolerance or celiac. If I or three of my four kids eat gluten we end up with migraines so cross contaminating our food surfaces is not something we want to do. My husband eats like us at home but when he's out he'll get whatever he wants. There are foods I'm sure he misses having here at home. I try to make a version we can eat but there are just some things that don't turn out the same.

It's nice that you want to support her but try not to let it make you resentful. I don't fault my husband for eating "normal" things when he's not here but I certainly appreciate him not bringing them home when they'll make me sick. Just make sure that you and your wife communicate about things. If she's expecting you to go GF with her and you have no intention of doing so you guys might want to make that clear at the outset.

bpotts44

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

SunofaBeach14

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

Placebos have the same effect

maroonmango211

I went gluten free almost a year now after my 3rd little one. I did not do it to lose weight specifically or because I wanted a new diet plan but I was willing to try anything to stay away from medication for migraines as well as I had heard that it can help with bloating. I cook/bake completely gluten free and I make choices away from home gluten free as well BUT my partner is not. Him and our 3 kids all eat wheat and other gluten on a pretty much daily basis, even though they have cut down simply because they still love eating everything I make. It has not effected our relationship for the worse, I'm a big girl I make my decisions and he makes his. I will say though that within the first week he made some toast with butter and it almost made me cry I was craving it so bad.

MyChocolateDiet

Let her go. Here's some good parting phrases.

If you like her/still think she's hot:
"I hate to see you leave, but I love to watch you walk away."

If it's a releif having her finally find something that is irritating enough to be a deal breaker:
"Don't let the door hit you in the *kitten* on the way out."
BONUS: this draws attention to her *kitten* the #1 most self conscious female part and will put the nail in the coffin of her returning.

If you are sick of her angry fits:
"Don't go away mad, just go away."

BTW these are all brought to you by my inability to get behind my S.O.'s eating plan. For over a year. It hates carbos too. I started out uncomfortable about it and still haven't warmed up. Some people call me "the grudge" as a nickname. Just kidding no they don't but they probably should, I'm a grudge holder. Hope your not, but eating this way can wear on the person close to them. Mostly if they try to push it on you.

Markguns

If she has no medical issues requiring it, your wife is buying into the hype... Eat whole grains, minimally processed foods and you'll be fine.

bpotts44

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

Placebos have the same effect

I actually get stomach pain, indigestion, and inflammation. Not sure a placebo can cause that. Gluten sensitivity is a real thing.

Dragonwolf

If she has no medical issues requiring it, your wife is buying into the hype... Eat whole grains, minimally processed foods and you'll be fine.

You can't confirm the presence of gluten sensitivity related medical issues without eliminating gluten grains, and considering the decision is also at the advice of a doctor...so...yeah.

MzHornedOne

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

Placebos have the same effect

I actually get stomach pain, indigestion, and inflammation. Not sure a placebo can cause that. Gluten sensitivity is a real thing.

I have the same issues when I eat gluten. I cut it out and lost 2 inches of bloat in less than a week.
I also get migraines when I eat it. I personally would like to eventually avoid all grains because I don't want a toxic build up of those grains as well

WendyTerry420

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

I avoid jalapenos because I get stomach cramps if I eat them. For most people, it's not hard to avoid foods that cause you pain.

Dragonwolf

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

I avoid jalapenos because I get stomach cramps if I eat them. For most people, it's not hard to avoid foods that cause you pain.

Yeah, but for most other foods, people don't get accused of falling for the placebo effect.

WendyTerry420

I avoid all gluten and grains. Whenever I do eat them I feel crappy. It has not been hard whatsoever. You can't replace a muffin though with a gluten free muffin. The GF stuff is just more sugary. If you focus your diet on whole fresh foods it really can help you to feel better.

I avoid jalapenos because I get stomach cramps if I eat them. For most people, it's not hard to avoid foods that cause you pain.

Yeah, but for most other foods, people don't get accused of falling for the placebo effect.

Only because GF became a fad and is now often used as a marketing scheme. If it weren't for nonsense like "Wheat Belly," we wouldn't be having this discussion. The placebo effect can be as powerful as actual physical symptoms and true food allergies/intolerance.

Dragonwolf

Only because GF became a fad and is now often used as a marketing scheme. If it weren't for nonsense like "Wheat Belly," we wouldn't be having this discussion. The placebo effect can be as powerful as actual physical symptoms and true food allergies/intolerance.

That theory only holds up insofar as the only issue(s) that clears up is the one for which someone changes their diet and eliminates something. It's quite a bit harder to blame on placebo something you thought was completely unrelated and weren't even expecting to change (and even moreso when the thing you were trying to change was the one thing not affected by eliminating a given food item).

Now, I do agree that Wheat Belly isn't the best book on the matter (there are a lot of logic leaps and some outright falsifications), I do appreciate the raised awareness that has resulted from the publication of it and books like it, because it does make it easier for people who truly do have medical issues with gluten to get the help they need. It's a sad state of affairs when a demographic of people with a disorder that can basically starve them to death from malnourishment has a goal of a 50% diagnostic rate over 2000 years after its discovery (and has been documented multiple times since then), and over half a century after the underlying cause was discovered, and that goal date is still 15 years away, in no small part due to the fact that most doctors are all but clueless about it. The increased awareness in general pretty much means you have to be living under a rock to not at least know about it.

WendyTerry420

Only because GF became a fad and is now often used as a marketing scheme. If it weren't for nonsense like "Wheat Belly," we wouldn't be having this discussion. The placebo effect can be as powerful as actual physical symptoms and true food allergies/intolerance.

That theory only holds up insofar as the only issue(s) that clears up is the one for which someone changes their diet and eliminates something. It's quite a bit harder to blame on placebo something you thought was completely unrelated and weren't even expecting to change (and even moreso when the thing you were trying to change was the one thing not affected by eliminating a given food item).

Now, I do agree that Wheat Belly isn't the best book on the matter (there are a lot of logic leaps and some outright falsifications), I do appreciate the raised awareness that has resulted from the publication of it and books like it, because it does make it easier for people who truly do have medical issues with gluten to get the help they need. It's a sad state of affairs when a demographic of people with a disorder that can basically starve them to death from malnourishment has a goal of a 50% diagnostic rate over 2000 years after its discovery (and has been documented multiple times since then), and over half a century after the underlying cause was discovered, and that goal date is still 15 years away, in no small part due to the fact that most doctors are all but clueless about it. The increased awareness in general pretty much means you have to be living under a rock to not at least know about it.

I liken it to dime store trash novels. Yes, some foods can be a problem for some people, but some people can read books then suddenly perceive a problem that isn't really there.

Food manufacturers, however, are keen to provide a product where there's a demand. This is true.