Day 9: Moving right along

I finally began reading a book I borrowed from the library last week entitled Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understaning of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease & Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance by Stephen Wangen.  I can hardly put it down.  You definitely want to read this if you suspect you or someone you love has problems digesting gluten. 

My husband said that since I have been reading so much about Celiac Disease that I now think that everyone I know has it, which is simply preposterous! :)  While I don't believe everyone has CD, I do believe that there are more people who have problems digesting gluten than we realize.  There are nearly 200 signs or symptoms that can be related to gluten intolerance/allergy or Celiac!  These syptoms range from fatigue, weight loss, weight gain, abdominal pain, anemia, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, miscarriages, Fibromyalgia, to Schizophrenia!  While I also realize that everyone who experiences these symptoms does not have CD or gluten intolerance, I am left to wonder how many of them actually do have it and don't even know it.  It boggles my mind that there are doctors today who don't even consider the diet (the food we put into our bodies) to play a role in our well being. 

I am thankful that our family decided to take our health more seriously several years ago (well, my husband and I anyway, our boys didn't really have a choice!)  We decided to remove high fructose corn syrup & hydrogenated oils while adding more organic fruits/veggies and pure water to our diet.  When I grocery shop, I mostly shop the outside perimeter of the store...that's where the fruits, veggies, health food section, meat (which I rarely buy at a large chain store), and dairy sections are.  I steer clear of the middle aisles except for the occassional cans of organic beans, tea bags, or some other specific item I think we need.  By taking these steps in the past several years, it has certainly made taking this gluten-free step that much easier!

Caleb went to spend the night at a friends house tonight.  I packed a couple of gluten-free foods in his bag.  It seemed a little strange to pack him food, but also necessary.  I also talked with him more about what foods contain gluten and what foods do not.  He is going to have to take responsibility for what he eats.  So, we'll see how he does.