Going ‘Gluten Free’
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By Kimberly Simon

On December 26, 2003 we followed the ambulance carrying my 37-year-old sister as she was rushed to the hospital. The emergency room doctor told us she had a fast aggressive form of colon cancer, which he believed was “a weird genetic link between her parents.” Those words have rung in my ears for four years now. Seeing we had the same parents it was even more sobering as I began thinking of my own health but more importantly the health of my four children. As my mind swirled and grasped for answers I sought the advice a medical doctor who was willing to go to my sister to help her get well. For this I am eternally grateful but my sister did not live long enough to receive this help. She died 95 days after her diagnosis.

The stage is set to tell of our odyssey into the gluten free lifestyle and how it has impacted us. Out of death there is often a new lease on life. Such is the case with our family. My doctor had diagnosed me as being gluten intolerant shortly before my sister died and was teaching me the effects of gluten on the intestines and colon. All of which I found profound, pertinent and valuable. Already I had the auto-immune issue of Hypothyroidism and in the past had been tested for lupus, arthritis, depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even had a MRI to determine if I had a pituitary tumor! No matter how hard I tried I could not lose weight which was devastating to this one-time college athlete who loved being physically fit. Always feeling flu-like and having my joints hurt left me little energy to exercise. So when the diagnosis was made it came with a sense of relief.

If you are gluten intolerant then it is imperative to stay away from all gluten. Without proper attention the body begins to breakdown and weary from the constant battle against gluten, allows other autoimmune illnesses to arise. This is what happened to my sister. I personally believe this was the “weird genetic link” the ER doctor referred to because my mother is gluten intolerant and my father is currently battling stage 4 colon cancer.

Gluten is the part of food that gives it the doughy consistency and also is a flavor enhancer. It is found primarily in barley, oats, rye, and wheat. It also is listed under other names such as: Modified Food Starch, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Maltodextrin, MSG, or Artificial Colorings and Flavorings. It can be found in food, chemicals, cleaning products, medicines, and cosmetics!

Our three daughters, as well, are gluten intolerant and are living the gluten free lifestyle and it has lessened their illnesses from migraines, chronic sinus infections and overwhelming sense of weariness and exhaustion. They, as teenagers and young adults, had to leave the typical diet of pizza, fast foods and junk food for a healthier lifestyle. They each have had experiences where they have chosen to eat gluten and then have suffered the symptoms of a raging sore throat and throwing up in a mall parking lot. With effects like this they are no longer tempted to break the GF eating style. Dieting is no longer an issue with me. Going GF has allowed my body to detoxify and the weight has fallen off naturally and I am actually eating more. Food is not my enemy anymore because it does not make me pudgy or sick.

All of us are healthier, leaner, and enjoy life more because we have more energy. Since my girls are athletes as well, it was hard to provide them with enough food which could be taken to school or games since we did a lot of home cooking. Finding restaurants which serve gluten free meals was challenging until we found the support system in our area. We searched for Celiac Sprue or Gluten Intolerance on the web and our doctor gave us other contact information. One of the “fast foods” which worked for our girls was Chipotle burrito bowls with guacamole instead of the cheese and sour cream. These would be the fuel to send our girls into a fierce basketball game and leave them with energy to finish the game strong. Other restaurants provide GF menus and all you have to do is ask and the head cook comes out to personally tag your plate and ask your specific dietary restrictions without an increase in price. We also shop at Whole Foods and even mainstream grocery stores have added gluten free items which make shopping easier. Glutensolutions.com has useful tips on getting rid of the gluten from the diet and other items used daily. Celiac.com is a wonderful and thorough site for what to eat.

Yet the best, we have found, is to eat simple with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and proteins with the carbohydrates coming from potatoes or rice. This is invaluable and necessary as the results of accidentally ingesting gluten, although not fatal, are miserable and event changing. One usually needs to go home instead of finish out the outing. I tell those overwhelmed with their new diagnosis that it simply gives them permission to eat from the expensive side of the menu. For me, as a mother of four, that was never an option!

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