Why am I writing about Gluten ? 

I’ve been writing about health, exercise, and nutrition for quite a while now and, as a result, Days to Fitness is now a great resource of information. However, over the last few months, I realised that I had neglected to address a growing dietary problem that more and more people have to face – gluten.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains and a lot of people are sensitive or intolerant to it. It can cause gas, bloating, upset stomachs, and even skin rashes, pain, and fatigue in some people. Gluten is a serious issue.

Because of several messages from gluten sensitive readers of Days to Fitness, I decided I needed to do some reading and research into this subject to find out more and I’m glad I did.

For many years, I’ve been careful about what I eat. I avoid sugar, don’t consume trans fats, and cook as much of my own food as I can. I’m a big fan of smoothies, and like to use superfoods whenever I can. The one thing I didn’t think about was gluten.

But, the more I read, the more I realized that I too was mildly gluten intolerant. As I did my research and discovered what gluten is and how it affects the human body, I found that a lot of the information I was reading applied directly to me too.

There is a long list of symptoms associated with gluten intolerance and as I read more, I saw that I experienced many of them myself. I had written them off as being unavoidable but, it turns out, they were the fault of gluten.

As my studies ended, I decided that I should try and eliminate gluten from my diet to see if I really was gluten intolerant. It wasn’t easy at first – gluten is everywhere! But as I discovered the sources of gluten and found gluten free alternatives, I weaned myself of gluten and started to feel better.

I was never super sensitive to gluten but I did suffer from uncomfortable bloating after eating things like bread and pasta, and sometimes felt tired and foggy brained.

Within a few days of eliminating most of the gluten from my diet, I noticed that I had suffered no weird bloating, I felt mentally sharper, and my energy levels were more stable. After a few weeks, I lost weight and inches without even trying. I realized that yes, I was gluten sensitive and cutting out gluten was doing me good!

Because of my very positive experience from giving up gluten, I really wanted to share my experiences and my research with the readers of Days to Fitness. I’ve produced several useful resources for you including:

What is gluten sensitivity ? – learn more about gluten and how it affects your body

Is gluten bad for you ? – find out more about gluten and its effects

How to find out if you are gluten intolerant – simple strategies for discovering if you have gluten issues

Gluten free recipes – lunch, dinner, dessert and kid’s recipes

Gluten free foods – a list of things to eat that are naturally gluten free

Gluten intolerance foods to avoid – if you are sensitive to gluten, don’t eat these foods!

What are the symptoms of celiac disease ? – a severe type of gluten intolerance you must know about

Conclusion

Over the last few months, gluten has become an important part of my life or, rather avoiding it has! I hope you’ll learn from my research and discover if you have a gluten-related problem. If you do, I also hope my articles help you to avoid gluten and start to feel better!

Gluten Tips and Recipes

Filling and nutritious, this impressive-looking meal looks like it took ages to make but, in reality, takes less than an hour from start to finish. It’s quickly become one of my dinnertime favorites, and I’m sure it’ll soon be one of yours too.

Most meatloaf variations contain breadcrumbs, and bread contains gluten. This recipe uses gluten-free crackers which makes it taste every bit as good but without that pesky gluten.

I love fish! It’s high in protein and healthy fat, and it’s also really tasty. I also love big, hearty soups and chowders.

Macaroni cheese, or mac and cheese, is a firm family favorite in most households. It’s cheap, tasty, filling, and even the kids will love it.

This recipe makes a large batch of cookies so make sure you store them in an airtight container. Better still, share them with your friends and family!