A Guide To The Gluten Free Lifestyle [One Month Challenge]

June 2, 2012 5:00 pm     Posted in Body, Food, Health, Homepage Exclusive  Brooke - Washington University in St. Louis g+ page


By Brooke

Hi everyone! So I’m sure you’ve been seeing GLUTEN FREE THE MIRACLE DIET all over Twitter, E! News, and celebrity interviews. I’m here to straighten out all of your misconceptions and questions.

I’m Brooke, aka one of the two Celiac Sisters (www.CeliacSisters.net). I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at age 16 (tear) and have led a 100% gluten free lifestyle since then.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that recognizes gluten – a protein in wheat, rye, barley, and oats – as toxic to the small intestine. As a result, the villi in the small intestine become damaged, leaving the body unable to absorb nutrients. Yikes. The only cure? A 100% gluten free diet. Thanks, science.

At first I HATED the gluten free diet. No wheat, rye, barley, or oats? Rude. I would only eat plain grilled chicken, one kind of gluten free cookies (EnviroKidz Animal Cookies – TRY THEM), and maybe a vegetable here and there (#skinny). I was miserable. Who can survive on such bland foods? I don’t know how the celebs do it, but I wasn’t having it.

So Celiac Sisters was born. It was me and my sister Samantha’s mission (Hi, Sammy!) to raise funds to go towards Celiac research, so one day, hopefully in the near future, we could enjoy foods of all flavors.

Celiac Disease became more easily diagnosed since 2008, and more gluten free products entered the shelf. I was in heaven. Tate’s now makes gluten free. OMG. Gluten free KinniToos, aka Oreos. Almost like the real thing. Gluten free bakeries galore – Tu-Lu’s, Wild Flours, Babycakes. If you can’t tell, I’m a cookie monster.

As more products became more accessible, I slowly expanded my palette and embraced the gluten free diet. I love being gluten free now! But what I don’t love is all the trendy peeps trying to go gluten free to lose weight. It’s not true!

Gluten-filled foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals, such as iron, that gluten free foods aren’t. So going gluten free if you don’t need to be is NOT healthier! Don’t believe the tabloids! For example, I was just told that my fatigue and thinning hair are a result of an iron deficiency due to my gluten free diet. It’s not healthier! Eat your gluten-filled food if you can! I’m stuck with spinach (sorry, Mom I probably won’t eat it tonight at dinner) rather than being able to eat fortified wheat flour.

A lot of these celebrities claim going gluten free is better for you because they’re most likely eating plain protein – fish, meat, chicken, tofu (yuck) – and vegetables. No wonder it’s life changing. Being hungry won’t clear your skin. That’s where I step in. Gluten free is NOT a fad. It’s a medical need. For all you Celiacs, gluten intolerants, and wheat allergic readers out there, check back for the next four weeks to get some fabulous gluten free insight on living the GF lifestyle. I’m here to help you, friends. Gluten free can be cool, too.

PS In New York any time soon? Check out the Celiac Sisters’ GFree Summer in NY(C) blog that we just started! www.CeliacSisters.tumblr.com

Peace, Love, Gluten Free,

Brookitaa

[lead image via Dejan Stanisavljevic / Shutterstock]

8 Comments on "A Guide To The Gluten Free Lifestyle [One Month Challenge]"

  1. Kate says:
    Sat, 2nd Jun 20126:34 pm 

    I have Celiac too, and I tell people that being GF isn't necessarily a weight loss tool- just like being a vegetarian isn't necessarily a weight loss tool. My favorite GF snack is Glutino pretzel sticks. They taste just like the real thing.

  2. Jenna says:
    Sun, 3rd Jun 201212:10 am 

    Gluten free may not be the best choice for a healthy diet but limiting wheat is certainly beneficial. A high Alkaline diet, that is a diet that limits acidic foods, is the healthiest option for your body. It keeps your immune system functioning at its best and can even help inhibit cancer cells. Wheat is an acidic food so gluten free options like oats and quinoa are actually the better option the majority of the time.

  3. Jackets says:
    Thu, 7th Jun 20123:17 am 

    I’m here to straighten out all of your misconceptions and questions.

  4. Jason says:
    Fri, 8th Jun 20123:36 pm 

    Nice post, thanks.

  5. Nikki says:
    Sun, 19th Aug 20127:38 pm 

    Usually I'm not one to raise a fuss about stuff, but I'm a little offended by your brief commentary about tofu ("yuck")
    Tofu is delicious if you're not stupid. If you're ignorant and like turning people off from a healthy alternative to their usual diet then of course you're going to think tofu is gross. I don't care if you don't like it, some people don't, but don't belittle other people by suggesting that the foods that some people eat are disgusting. In summary: Don't be a bitch

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