I went started to avoid gluten and even dairy when my youngest was a baby. I was breastfeeding her and worked out that a lot of her respiratory and even skin issues were linked to foods I was eating that contained gluten or dairy. It was actually probably one of the healthiest times of my life. I felt amazing and my gut sure thanked me.
Fast forward 12 years and I have a child who no longer has the ten tonnes of mucous accumulating on her chest each night and is no longer waking up coughing. She no longer itches her skin raw and can even consume small amounts gluten and dairy herself now without any problems. Not that we eat tonnes of it. I have scared her for life when it comes to coconut though. I drank so many coconut milk chai’s and ate coconut yoghurt that she can taste coconut milk in anything these days and hates the taste.
I learnt a lot during that time about wheat and gluten. A lot of people have gluten intolerances and don’t even realise it. They think that the bloated feeling they get after a lunch of sandwiches or a dinner of pasta is normal. But when you do something like cutting out gluten you realise it is far from normal.
5 reasons to avoid gluten
- Celiac Disease: One of the main reasons to avoid gluten is if you have celiac disease. It is an autoimmune condition where consuming gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to various digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, and other health problems.
- Gluten Sensitivity: Some individuals may not have celiac disease but still experience symptoms similar to it when consuming gluten. This condition is called non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Symptoms can include bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and headache. Avoiding gluten can help alleviate these symptoms.
- Wheat Allergy: Another reason to avoid gluten is if you have a wheat allergy. The immune system reacts to certain proteins in wheat, triggering allergic symptoms like itching, hives, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylaxis. Since gluten is found in wheat, avoiding gluten is necessary for those with wheat allergies.
- Digestive Issues: Many people without diagnosed celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may still experience digestive issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea after consuming gluten. Avoiding gluten can be a way to improve these symptoms and promote better digestive health.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Some research suggests that gluten may contribute to inflammation in the body, which can worsen symptoms of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. People with these conditions may choose to avoid gluten to potentially reduce inflammation and manage their symptoms.
Wheat has been so genetically modified especially in the last century so it was more pest resistant that our stomachs no longer recognise it. So we have difficulty digesting it.
I have started using an ancient grain called Einkorn instead of commercial wheat. Einkorn is one of the oldest varieties of wheat known to man. It has not been genetically modified and still has only 14 chromosomes compared to modern, hybridised wheat which has 42 chromosomes. So our stomachs actually recognise it as a food and we don’t react in the same way to gluten rich wheat.
I’ve been buying the two Young Living Einkorn breakfast cereals to avoid gluten. They both taste great.
Avoid Gluten with Gary’s True Grit Einkorn Flakes Cereal
Made with whole ancient grain einkorn and oat bran, Einkorn Flakes Cereal is crispy and lightly sweetened with organic coconut sugar. It also has higher levels of protein, trace minerals, and a lower gluten level than hybridised, modern wheat. Whether you need a way to fuel up before a busy day or want to sneak a late-night treat, Einkorn Flakes Cereal will be your go-to cold cereal choice.
Gary’s True Grit Einkorn Flakes Information Page
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Great natural taste
- Low in fat, with no trans fat
- No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives
- 25 grams of whole grains and almost 4 grams of protein in every serving
- Einkorn wheat is an ancient grain that contains higher levels of protein and trace minerals and lower gluten levels than today’s wheat because of its unique genetic code
- Einkorn wheat does not contain the same protein structure that is found in other types of wheat and may be a good alternative to those who are sensitive to modern wheat.
Ingredients
- Whole-grain einkorn flour
- Coconut sugar
- Oat bran
- Salt
- Mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Avoid Gluten with Gary’s True Grit Einkorn Granola
Served hot or cold, Gary’s True Grit™ Einkorn Granola is a great way to start your day. All too often, cereals and on-the-go snacks are filled with refined sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colours, and artificial flavours. Instead of including these overly processed ingredients, Gary’s True Grit Einkorn Granola is sweetened by the combination of wolfberries, cranberries, cacao nibs, and coconut sugar. These sweet hints are balanced by hearty sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, and pecans, with just the right amount of sea salt.
Gary’s True Grit Einkorn Granola Information Page
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- A delicious, convenient snack for energy on the go.
- A combination of simple and complex carbs, including nuts, berries and seeds, for energy from naturally sourced ingredients.
- Includes a variety of nuts, berries and seeds for a delicious flavour and complex texture.
- Contains no high-fructose corn syrup, GMOs, or additional colours, flavours or preservatives.
- Includes whole-grain Einkorn flour, which contains only 14 chromosomes and is touted as one of the oldest grains.
- Includes wolfberries and cranberries, known for their antioxidant properties.
- Suitable for vegans.
Ingredients
- Oats
- Sunflower oil
- Syrup (from fruit juice and grain dextrin)
- Whole-grain Einkorn Flour (Triticum monococcum)
- Sunflower seeds
- Coconut sugar
- Cranberries
- Almonds
- Wolfberries (Lycium barbarum) – read more about wolfberries here
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Cacao nibs
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt
- Saigon cinnamon
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