It's funny when something you struggle with suddenly goes mainstream.
Has that ever happened to you?
In 2009, I decided to give up gluten on a last ditch effort to have good digestion. To not get sick after meals. To not have to run to the bathroom at a moment's notice. To not feel like I had food poisoning every week. Sorry...TMI. So yes, I know "last ditch effort" sounds dramatic, but after 13 years of stomach problems, visiting various doctors (in three different countries!), and several elimination diets, I was at the end of my rope. Without telling anyone I eliminated gluten from my diet.
Why were you so secretive,you ask? Because it literally wasn't as mainstream and accepted as it is now. Look, last week I heard that Subway is offering gluten free bread. General Mills has a nationwide commercial introducing their first ever gluten free Cheerios. Restaurants have gluten free menus. But in 2009, when I was looking for gluten free information I found an underdeveloped website by celiac.org, three gluten free bloggers (yes, three not three hundred) and a small gluten free section at the not-so-local Whole Foods. So...it was easier to be in the closet. I didn't talk about it much. I had to navigate the gluten free waters myself. The benefit? I put my college education research tools to good use. The downside? Lots of mistakes. But here I am seven, SEVEN, years later and on the encouragement of my big sister and the inspiration of how gluten free living is helping so many people. And let's be honest, I love talking about food.
In gluten free health,
Francine
Has that ever happened to you?
In 2009, I decided to give up gluten on a last ditch effort to have good digestion. To not get sick after meals. To not have to run to the bathroom at a moment's notice. To not feel like I had food poisoning every week. Sorry...TMI. So yes, I know "last ditch effort" sounds dramatic, but after 13 years of stomach problems, visiting various doctors (in three different countries!), and several elimination diets, I was at the end of my rope. Without telling anyone I eliminated gluten from my diet.
Why were you so secretive,you ask? Because it literally wasn't as mainstream and accepted as it is now. Look, last week I heard that Subway is offering gluten free bread. General Mills has a nationwide commercial introducing their first ever gluten free Cheerios. Restaurants have gluten free menus. But in 2009, when I was looking for gluten free information I found an underdeveloped website by celiac.org, three gluten free bloggers (yes, three not three hundred) and a small gluten free section at the not-so-local Whole Foods. So...it was easier to be in the closet. I didn't talk about it much. I had to navigate the gluten free waters myself. The benefit? I put my college education research tools to good use. The downside? Lots of mistakes. But here I am seven, SEVEN, years later and on the encouragement of my big sister and the inspiration of how gluten free living is helping so many people. And let's be honest, I love talking about food.
In gluten free health,
Francine