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On Monday of this week we reintroduced wheat into my diet. I've been meaning to write this post since then. Friends have been asking how it's been going. I haven't been updating on Facebook as much as usual (mostly because I am trying to unplug more this year). But, the main reason I haven't updated on how it is going is because I really don't know.
I know one thing. For the last five days I've had gastrointestinal issues the likes of which I haven't seen in quite a while (maybe seven or so months??). I'll spare you all the details, but I feel like there are fireworks going off in my stomach, I have horrible cramping and pain, and I've had a headache off and on. I've gained two pounds. I'm bloated and can't fit into jeans I've been wearing (with a little room) for the last four months. I'm in more physical pain than I have been in awhile too, although I've been in pain ever since I went to the chiropractor in August and they messed me up even more than I was when going in. I'd read before that I would probably feel poorly as I reintroduced the wheat. Is it normal to feel this bad though? I have no idea. It has gotten a little better in the last day or so, but I still feel horrible. Is it temporary? I can only hope. If I continue to feel poorly, I guess I'll look into finding out if I *I* have a gluten intolerance.
And Bubby? I really can't tell with him. When we reintroduced last time, it was obvious within two days that he had a problem with wheat. His poops were green, mucousy, and blood-streaked. I told Glenn I feel like I'm the Poop Police (which Beanie overheard and said, "what's the poop police??"). I mean, it's poop. And breastmilk-no-solids-yet baby poop to boot. It's obviously not to the point we were at last time, so that is good. He has been a little crankier, but nothing that really stands out. Babies have cranky days, right? Since I've reintroduced so slowly (and even more slowly than planned since I feel so crappy) I wonder if it'll take a bit longer to really impact him. We shall see.
The actual reintroduction has been a bit anti-climactic. If there's one area you can really find good tasting food in, it's gluten-free. I've become quite good at adapting gluten recipes. I like the taste of quinoa or rice pasta. And, the things I really want to eat, like a doughnut or a big tasty cupcake from PCC -- hard to find without dairy or soy. Most all vegan tasty treats are made with soy. So, really, all I've had is some bread. And, even that you have to watch because many sandwich breads contain dairy and/or soy. We bough some Dave's Killer Bread at Costco. I had a Sin Dawg for breakfast. I had a beer from the Pelican Brewery in Oregon (that was probably the most exciting as the first time we went I was pregnant with Bubby and the second time I was avoiding wheat, so we bought some and brought it home for me). Some fancy baked bread with our pasta, although I still ate brown rice pasta. I imagine I'll still be baking a lot.
I'm glad we reintroduced since Bubby seems to be doing a lot better with it. It's nice to have the reassurance that he may not always have food sensitivities. I guess I'm also glad because it might have opened a door into figuring out what has been wrong with my GI system (since I've been to the doctor in the past for it and had differing opinions).
I feel like right now we're still in wait-and-see mode, so keep on wishing us luck.
It does sound like you might have a sensitivity to gluten. Hopefully you can successfully reintroduce dairy and soy, even if you have to go back off the wheat for you. I agree that gluten free is pretty easy to do nowadays.
ReplyDeleteIn view of the many new readers on the Wheat Belly Blog, many of whom have not yet had an opportunity to read the book but are eager to get started, here is the updated Wheat Belly Quick & Dirty summary. It summarizes the essential dietary strategies of the Wheat Belly approach to 1) avoid all products made from high-yield, semi-dwarf wheat that wreak health destruction, and 2) create a diet that is otherwise healthy and appropriate for all members of the family.
DeleteThis is the same diet I advise patients in my office to follow that achieves spectacular reductions in weight, provides relief from joint pain and acid reflux, reduces triglycerides, shoots HDL upward, reduces small LDL particles (the #1 cause of heart disease in the U.S!), and unravels diabetic/pre-diabetic tendencies. The diet starts with the biggest step of all: elimination of wheat. But a healthy diet cannot end there, else you and I could eat no wheat but fill our calories with soft drinks and jelly beans. So the next step is to limit carbohydrates if your goal is to lose more weight and correct metabolic distortions like high blood sugar and small LDL particles. Then, we choose our foods wisely to avoid the common boobytraps set for us by Big Food and Agribusiness, not to mention the friendly dietitian at the hospital! Diet in the 21st century is no longer just about carbs, proteins, and fats–it is also about being savvy about the changes introduced into our foods by food producers.
Eliminate:
All wheat-based products (all breads, all breakfast cereals, noodles, pasta, bagels, muffins, pancakes, waffles, donuts, pretzels, crackers), oat products (oatmeal, oat bran), corn and cornstarch-based products (sauces or gravies thickened with cornstarch, prepared or processed foods containing cornstarch, cornmeal products like chips, tacos, tortillas), sugary soft drinks, candies.
Avoid processed foods containing wheat, such as soy sauce, Twizzlers, Campbells Tomato Soup, salad dressings, taco seasoning–examine ALL labels and avoid any food with mention of wheat. (It’s not a bad idea to avoid foods with labels! Cucumbers and spinach, for instance, generally don’t come with labels.)
The stomach upset can happy to anyone who has been off the grain for a while & reintroduces too quickly. It is naturally a hard grain to digest for anyone & a lot of ppl feel better without it without actually having a sensitivity, allergy or celiac disease. You can get yourself allergy/celiac disease tested for it to clear any questions.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! :)
I would definitely make sure you're having gluten in *very* small amounts and not daily, in terms of a "challenging" to see if you're reacting to it, but it sounds like your body just might be happier without it. I can pass along a name/ number if you'd like!
ReplyDeleteFor some people their is no such thing a some, you cannot put any of that poison into your mouth. Its up to YOU.
DeleteI hear you on feeling like the poop police. It feels rather ridiculous at times. We've also eliminated wheat because of our son's issues and discovered that I have problems with it too. I recently read a book, "Dangerous Grains" and it states that you can be sensitive to wheat and not be positive for celiac. I've also read that almost 80% of U.S. population has sensitivities or worse to wheat and don't realize it.
ReplyDeleteI think that baking your own or seeking out special gluten-free treats is really important to not feeling deprived. It does tend to make you eat out less and save more money on impulse treats. I've learned that using coconut oil as a butter substitute in baked goods is really good. Namaste (available at Whole Foods or PCC) makes a delicious brownie mix that is free of all of the bad stuff. And if you don't want to use eggs, you can subsitute ground flaxseed. They also have cake mixes which could fulfill that cupcake craving (now I want one!).
I'm really intrigued by your results. I've heard it can take up to 6 months for an adult's body to begin healing noticeably from gluten damage, so it was probably a slow change in you as it worked its way out of your system. I too have had undiagnosed GI problems my entire life and tested negative for celiac.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Dave's bread. I think Powerseed is my favorite. It's made here in town too. I LOVE the Pelican. I hope once the kids get older we can leave them for a weekend at Kiwanda (those gas fireplaces are wonderful) with lots of meals and drinks from Pelican.
I keep thinking I should get tested for these sensitivities/allergies ever since Bubby and Joe and so many other people I know are finding out they have them. I've always had tummy troubles too and have been told everything from that it's IBS to that I just have a sensitive stomach. It'd be nice to have a real answer and maybe get some insight to my tummy!
ReplyDeleteThis post really caught my attention in my reader today because I've tried reintroducing wheat several times, all with unsuccessful results. Within hours of eating the food with wheat I began feeling awful pain, bloated and then later had diarrhea. I asked my naturopath about this after the second attempt to reintroduce and she said she suspects I have a true intolerance to wheat and may never be truly able to eat it without pain. This all began because my son has an intolerance to wheat and when I cut it out I didn't realize I would have such a hard time eating again! I am surprisingly OK with not eating wheat again. I find anything I truly enjoy I can find wheat free, even at our favorite restaurants! Anyways, just thought I'd share my story so you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy little boy has the same problems your boy did (wheat, soy and dairy). He's 6 months now and I'm thinking of slowly reintroducing one at a time. How old was your little boy when he was finally able to take them? Any words of advice?
ReplyDeleteI read your story and feel like it's me writing it. Thanks for sharing. Misery loves company. :)
Its Poison! Genetically Modified Poison, DONT re-introduce it!
DeleteOh Dear, you DO have a FrankenWheat intolerance, why don't you save your self misery and go gluten free. Did you read " Wheat Belly". It tells you that a lot about how "gluten Free products have Corn Starch which has Gluten. Heres a recipe to make at home>>>ONE MINUTE MUFFIN:
ReplyDelete1/4 cup, Flax Meal or Almond Flour or Chickpea Flour or Quinoua Flour then 2 tsp Olive Oil or Coconut Oil, I Egg, 1/2 tsp baking Powder. put in coffee cup & microwave for one minute {{ i prefer to put in on 350 degree oven & cook for 10, 15 mins}} Play with it, Cinnamon, nuts, unsweetened coconut, oregano, baisl, garlic, parmesan Cheese, cheddar etc.......NAMASTE.