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Going Gluten Free for Beginners
Have you ever thought of reducing or eliminating gluten from your diet, at least for a while, just to see if it makes a difference in how you feel?
So many people think only those with celiac disease need to stop eating gluten, but the truth is that most of us can benefit from reducing the gluten in our diets and in our surroundings. Many people report clearer heads (less trouble with brain fog) and better overall mood with a reduction in gluten. Here are a few other benefits you may enjoy…
Weight Loss
A lot of the foods which contain gluten are highly processed. These packaged foods often contain large amounts of calories and carbohydrates. When you trade out wheat, rye, barley and the many processed foods and snacks which contain gluten with fresh, wholesome, whole foods, fruits and vegetables, you can trim a lot of starch and fat (not to mention sugar) from your midsection.
Your Digestive Health Improves
The ancient philosopher Hippocrates is known as the father of modern medicine. He famously stated time and again that, “All human disease begins in the gut.” Wheat and gluten can impact your digestive process, so your gut and digestive tract begin to heal almost immediately when you remove gluten from your diet. When you replace those gluten filled products with high fiber vegetables and fruits, your gut will thank you.
Energy Boost
When gluten causes intestinal permeability, all the necessary vitamins and minerals in the foods you eat do not successfully make it where they need to go. In the case of celiac disease, iron absorption is not healthy, and this can leave you feeling drained and lacking in energy. Â Get gluten out of your life, and you may very well notice a considerable increase in your energy level.
Healthy Cholesterol Level
Many of the processed foods that contain gluten send your cholesterol level through the roof because they contain unhealthy fats like hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats. When you replace those foods with healthier choices like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries, your cholesterol will naturally return to a healthier level.
Reduced Chance of Chronic Disease
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and arthritis sufferers experience fewer symptoms when they cut gluten from their diets. Your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and becoming overweight or obese is considerably reduced as you are getting unhealthy foods off of your plate and replacing them with healthy whole nutrient dense foods.
Gluten is everywhere
Did you know gluten can also be found in foods where you’d never expect to find it, like canned soups? You’ll also find it in shampoos and in body, face and hand lotions. Gluten is everywhere, and it’s highly addictive. Also, the gluten of today and the wheat of today are not what your great grandparents ate. The wheat of today has been hybridized to be shorter, faster growing and significantly higher in gluten.
If you’d like to read further about how to go about reducing or eliminating gluten from your diet to see if it will help you feel and be healthier, here’s a free report I’m making available to help: http://CherylLoves.me/glutenfreebeginner
Cheryl A Major lives in Westford and is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. Her TV show, Thin Strong Healthy, airs on WestfordCat and is an offshoot of her blog http://ThinStrongHealthy.com  Cheryl offers ongoing information and personal health coaching to help you feel better and be healthier. Follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylAMajor. She is also a full time residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker with more than 25 years experience.
 Questions? Email Cheryl at cheryl@thinstronghealthy.com and be sure to put Health Question in the subject line. Your question and its answer will be included in a future article
P.S. Get a copy of this special report I’ve prepared as my free gift to you: 10 Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget at http://ThinStrongHealthy.com . As a bonus, you will receive Your Major Health Minutes, a quick bite of healthy information that will come to you a couple of times a week. You know you want to lose weight and be healthier!
