Gluten free eating has become increasingly popular in recent
years. To the extent that some may consider it something of a fade! And for
some it may be….simply another 'diet' to try in the quest of losing weight or
getting healthy. But for those who choose to adopt a gluten free diet for
themselves or their children, it is anything but a fade.
The health benefits of removing gluten from the diet are plentiful and include (but not limited too):
- improved digestive health eg. settling irritable bowel syndrome
- enhanced mood through a reduction in anxiety, depression and stress responses
- improved behaviours in children - those with 'diagnosed' behavioural challenges and those with day to day behavioural issues
- improved allergy rashes eg. eczema
- enhanced immune function resulting in fewer ear and throat infections, colds and general ill health
- improved thyroid function
- settling heart arrhythmias - trust me on this one!
There is much anecdotal evidence of the link between gluten and cardiac arrhythmias. I personally will never eat gluten
again, as it was a significant factor in me being hospitalised for 5 days with
cardiac arrhythmias earlier in the year. Yes, there were other factors at play,
and my immune system was compromised at the time but the casual reintroduction
of gluten into my diet over two days was enough of a trigger to cause
significant (and completely terrifying) heart arrhythmias.
There are risks in jumping straight into a gluten free diet,
if you don't also change your mindset around food, as outlined in the following link http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11533/5-reasons-to-avoid-the-gluten-free-aisle.html.
Making the switch to a gluten free diet can be overwhelming
for some people and they fall into the trap of taking the seemingly easy option
and shopping in the 'health food aisle' in the supermarket. Due to the
increasing popularity of gluten free eating, supermarkets and ‘health food’
stores offer a huge range of gluten free products.
However, often these
pre-packaged products are highly processed, rich in colours, additives and
preservatives, laden with sugar and actually offer little nutritional value and
may in fact be more detrimental to your or your children’s health. It is important therefore to really consider
your overall diet before commencing gluten free eating and integrate gluten
free foods into a whole food diet.
As a mother I can relate to that feeling of 'I'm trying to
do everything right for my children's health, yet still seem to be doing the wrong thing!'. My
recommendation is to be gentle on yourself and take small steps but aim at a
bigger lifestyle change.
If you truly want to see the benefits of gluten free
eating in yourself and your family, then I recommend gradually transitioning to a whole food diet, where your
diet consists of exactly that 'WHOLE FOODS' eg. fresh
fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, rich animal fats, seeds & nuts. It goes by many names - but essentially I
like to think of it as 'the way we use to eat'. Somewhere along the way,
marketing and a lack of time has got in the way of good old fashioned eating.
Ideally I recommend eating nutrient dense organic fruit, vegetables and meats,
or free range meats and eggs, but I understand that this can be financially
challenging for some families. Don't beat yourself up about this. Take small
steps and make gradual changes. Once you start noticing the changes in your
health and that of your families, you will seek to make further changes along the way.
I have previously shared a few great websites / blogs /
facebook pages that have amazingly delicious recipes using whole food
ingredients. This makes the 'what will I give the kids for a snack' issue so
much easier. For even though snacking on
fruit is an easy option it may not be the best option, particularly if you
follow a sugar free diet. Even though the sugar in fruit is 'natural', it
may still be difficult for your body to digest and even toxic - for those who
are fructose intolerant or sensitive.
For those who know me well, you know I am very passionate
about nutrition, particularly in relation to my family. I have walked the path of transitioning my family from what I
believed was a 'healthy' diet to essentially a whole food diet. I am not perfect....perfectionism sets you up for failure, so I don't try to be perfect anymore, I just try my best for my family.
So, yeah the kids step outside our normal diet on occasions eg birthday
parties, but I rarely do because I know how it makes me feel. To be honest I
think my children at ages 6, 4 & 2yrs are already able to see how
processed, nutrient poor and sugar laden foods effects them – it is actually quite
different for each of them. But they are becoming aware and I hope that my
passion, and through sharing my knowledge (and cooking skills – ha!) and by leading
by example, it will ensure that when they are old enough to make their own food
choices, they will make ones that are best for their overall health and
wellbeing.
As I have walked this path, I understand it can be really
tough for some families to make the transition to this lifestyle - it really is a lifestyle change! But as a Kinesiologist, I am able
to assist you in identifying what foods are detrimental to your or your child's health. I am
then able to coach you in modifying your diet as needed and transitioning your family to
a whole food diet to ensure that the foods you eat are enhancing your health
rather than compromising it.
Book in for a consultation today, to change your tomorrow.
