I remember when I finally decided to try going gluten and dairy-free.
I DIDN’T WANT TO.
I really didn’t want to. I knew it would be a challenge. I was a busy person. I didn’t have time to clean out and restock my pantry and fridge with gluten and dairy free foods! But I had completed a symptom questionnaire that revealed that I had some work to do. My body was telling me it was time to make a change.
I learned that the random symptoms I had been experiencing were signs my immune system was being called to action. Of course, we want our immune system to respond when triggered. My chronic symptoms indicated I was triggering my immune system constantly and since I’m on the autoimmune spectrum, the last thing I want to do is to continually stimulate my immune system. I was in the thick of my nutrition education so, of course, I took a hard look at my diet. Because gluten and dairy are common food sensitivities, that is where I started.
It Seemed Like Everything Contained Gluten
At first, it felt like an insurmountable challenge. It seemed like gluten was in EVERTHING and I’m not just talking about food. Gluten can be found in skincare products, shampoo, hair styling products, makeup, toothpaste, laundry detergent, medications, and supplements, just to name a few. And don’t get me started about dairy. My instinct was to reach for cheese when I needed a snack or to hit my protein intake goal. Coffee tastes better with a splash of cream, right?! To say I was having second thoughts about eliminating gluten and dairy is an understatement. But symptoms don’t lie, so I took the plunge.
I Started Noticing Changes
Pretty quickly, I began to see improvements. Within days brain fog, my near constant companion, began to diminish. After two weeks, I lost two inches of belly bloat from my waistline (not fat, that was still there!). And not long after that I noticed the achiness in my joints was going down. It took nearly three months to see some relief of my most severe symptom – nasal and sinus congestion. My body was becoming a more comfortable place to live!
The Reward
Now, I am much less sensitive to gluten. I do still experience a reaction, though it is milder and does not happen every time. It took much longer to see improvement with dairy. It was about two years before I reached a point where I could tolerate butter on a regular basis. More than four years later, I can tolerate a small amount of hard cheese from time to time without my nasal passages swelling shut.
It Gets Easier
Living a gluten and dairy-free life requires less effort the longer you do it. Just like any skill you want to build, the more you practice the easier it gets. There are all sorts of delicious foods that are naturally gluten and dairy-free. You need to educate yourself on what the various sources of gluten are and be willing to try new things. The effort was totally worth it! I can now think more clearly, have less aches and pains, my digestion has improved and best of all, I can breathe with my mouth closed!
Everyone will experience improved tolerance at different speeds. I saw improvements within days and weeks for some symptoms. Others have taken longer. Your experience will be uniquely your own.
Elimination Diets Are Not Meant to Last Forever
It is important to note that eliminating certain foods or food categories is meant to be temporary. Sometimes people can return foods to their diet and remain symptom free or enjoy them on an occasional basis without activating their immune system. Sometimes foods will have to be avoided for longer periods of time to give the body time to resolve the sensitivity.
Is Experimenting With Eliminating Gluten and/or Dairy Right for You?
Are you wondering if a food may be unnecessarily stimulating your immune system? Message us to request a copy of the same symptom questionnaire I completed. We will email you a copy of the questionnaire, along with an invitation to schedule a free 20-minute discovery call to discuss your results. Or you could meet us on October 15th at the Women’s Day of Wellness at Mercer Island Community Center in Mercer Island, WA. We will be giving away copies of the questionnaire and will answer your questions about how we support people, just like you, in managing the symptoms revealed by the questionnaire.
Are You Ready to Go Gluten and/or Dairy-Free?
Are you ready to find out if eliminating gluten or dairy could be beneficial for you? Join us for The RESTART® Program. RESTART® meets online, once a week for five weeks. Get the information you need to successfully transition to a gluten and/or dairy-free way of eating. Class begins on October 7th. Registration is open. Space is limited so reserve your spot today. Learn more here.
Let’s Team Up!
If you are seeking personalized guidance and support in your autoimmune wellness journey, we are here to help! Evergreen Wellness Academy specializes in supporting individuals with autoimmune disease so they may take charge of their health. We help you find the missing pieces of your wellness puzzle by creating nutrition and lifestyle plans tailored to your unique needs. Don’t go it alone – let us be your partners in finding vibrant health and vitality.
Explore our website at evergreenwellnessacademy.com and discover how we can support you on your path to wellness. Together, we can unlock the full potential of your health!
Gluten-Free Travel Opportunities – Croatia 2024
We love to travel but living gluten-free makes traveling that much more complicated. So we created a vacation for ourselves and others like us. Is a trip to Croatia on your bucket list? Join us in September 2024, as we cruise the Dalmatian Coast on a luxury yacht! Can you picture yourself aboard a yacht cruising the Adriatic Sea? Imagine swimming in the clear blue water. Would you appreciate having chef prepared gluten-free (dairy optional), Mediterranean-influenced breakfast and lunch provided for you? Don’t worry if your travel partner isn’t gluten-free – they won’t miss it! Learn more here.