Going Gluten-Free: Is it for Me?

Stephanie Haddad

I had this crazy idea a while ago that I might have a sensitivity to gluten. After being diagnoses with IBS-which my doctor referred to as a "catch-all stomach diagnosis when we don't know what's wrong"-I started to do my homework on food allergies, sensitivities, and triggers for IBS.

Some of my triggers were easy to identify because my body reacts so quickly after eating them. I knew I had to stop eating red meat right away-that made a big difference. Then I cut out dairy (as much as possible, since dairy is in everything) and noticed another big shift in my overall health.

The good news was that I could still drink coffee (a common IBS trigger), as long as I used soy milk. Piece of cake.

But while doing all that research, I also read a lot about gluten. A substance found in wheat, gluten is literally everywhere. It's wheat, for crying out loud. Dairy was one thing, but wheat? Kill me now. A bit intimidated by the magnitude of eliminating wheat from my diet, I ignored everything I read and kept chugging along. Still having some IBS problems (and other gluten sensitivity symptoms), but ignoring them all.

Curious if you have it? Here are some of the symptoms to look for from Gluten-Free Network:

  • Weight loss or weight gain

  • Nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorbtion e.g. low iron levels

  • Gastro-intestinal problems (bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea)

  • Fat in the stools (due to poor digestion)

  • Aching joints

  • Depression

  • Eczema

  • Head aches

  • Exhaustion

  • Irritability and behavioural changes

  • Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage

  • Cramps, tingling and numbness

  • Slow infant and child growth

  • Decline in dental health

I'd also read that fatigue and even adult acne can be caused by a sensitivity to gluten. With so many of these factors at play, I knew what I had to do. See… some things you just can't unlearn. And out of curiosity, I wanted to give it a try. I needed to see if going gluten-free would make a difference. And if I could even manage to live like that. Sometimes, I'm crazy like that.

So I'm going to go ahead and do it. I even have a friend going gluten-free with me! My partner-in-crime (who shave heretofore be referred to as "PIC") and I have big plans to spend the month of February totally without gluten in our lives. When the month is over, we'll take a look at how we're feeling. Most people who have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance will show improvements in 2-4 weeks. Yes, it can take that long to get all that wheat out of your system…scary.

We're giving it a chance. For 28 days, we'll be changing our diets up pretty drastically. Yes, I know it's a leap year, but February 29 is hardly a real day. It doesn't count. More on that later this month.

Have you ever wanted to try a gluten-free diet? Is there something else you've wanted to cut back on? Another shift in your diet you need to make? Try it this month, right along with us this February. You can do anything for 28 days, can't you?

To get more information on going gluten-free, check out some of these great websites: