• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Gray is Gorgeous

Natural approaches to aging beautifully

  • CLEAN BEAUTY
    • Clean Makeup
      • My Clean Five-Minute Makeup Must-Haves
  • NON-TOXIC SKINCARE
    • Safer Skincare: Why you Should Switch to Non-Toxic
  • HAIR CARE
    • The Best Non-Toxic Products for Gray Hair.
    • The Best Non-Toxic Products for Curly Hair
  • HEALTHY AGING
    • My Transition to Gray Hair: How I Went Gray at 40
    • WELLNESS
      • SELF CARE
      • AUTOIMMUNE WELLNESS
        • Why You Should Avoid Gluten
        • My Autoimmune Diet: How I Manage My RA Symptoms with Food
      • FOOD
        • CUSTOMIZED MEAL PLANS
  • MY RECOMMENDATIONS
    • MY AMAZON PICKS
    • SHOP MY SHELVES AND INSTAGRAM POSTS
  • FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY
    • GET ACCESS NOW

in Food

Why You Should Avoid Gluten

Since I often share recommendations and tutorials, naturally my posts may contain affiliate links to the products I use and love. If you take action (make a purchase, for example) after clicking one of these links, I will earn a little coffee money, which I promise to drink while creating more helpful content for you.

GLUTEN-FREE! It is hard to avoid the term if you are looking into making changes in your diet, especially if have autoimmunity, but should you jump on the gluten-free wagon?

It is in most of your favorite foods, and you hate to give them up, but you keep wondering if this is just a fad or if you should be eating a gluten-free diet, or maybe at least be limiting consumption or avoiding it.

Probably.

Gluten is protein found in many grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It’s responsible for developing the sticky consistency that develops when flour mixes with water. It’s commonly found in bread and other baked goods, pasta, cereals, beer and other products made from these grains. Gluten-containing flours are added to many processed foods as well.

Gluten is not an essential nutrient, so it is possible to eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet without it. Many doctors suggest that avoiding gluten would actually benefit everyone. So it is not just a passing fad.

Chances are that yes, you could benefit from going gluten-free, especially if you have an autoimmune condition.

Who should definitely be gluten-free?

Some people are dangerously sensitive to gluten. For example, if you have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease, you definitely should avoid all traces of it. About 1% of adults have been diagnosed with celiac disease. However, it’s estimated that up to 80% of people who have it don’t even know it!

After eating even a trace of gluten the immune system attacks it as a foreign invader. This results in severe damage to the gut lining. Some of the digestive symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Other symptoms of celiac disease include headaches, fatigue, and skin rashes.

See also  My Autoimmune Diet: How I Manage My RA Symptoms with Food

Long-term effects of eating gluten, if you have celiac disease, are serious, including:

  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Osteoporosis
  • Infertility
  • Nerve damage and,
  • Seizures

It’s estimated that one percent of the population has Celiac disease and one in 30 people have a gluten sensitivity. Many with autoimmunity are sensitive to gluten.

There are many common signs of gluten sensitivity. The problem is that they’re not very specific. They don’t necessarily occur immediately after eating it, and they’re not always located in the gut. This makes it so difficult to pin down the symptoms as gluten related.

Symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity include:

  • Digestive issues (bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and stomach pain)
  • Skin issues (eczema and redness)
  • Bone and joint pain
  • Fatigue and chronic tiredness
  • Other symptoms like headaches and mood issues

Many with autoimmunity, like me, are sensitive to gluten and find that their symptoms improve when following a gluten-free diet.

Why is this?

Gluten Causes Inflammation

Eating gluten causes inflammation every time someone with a sensitivity eats it. An estimated 99 percent of people with gluten sensitivity are undiagnosed, so they are increasing their inflammation without even knowing

What does this mean for your health?

Dr. Amy Myers, the author of The Autoimmune Connection, explains it this way:

If you have an autoimmune disease, then that means that somewhere along the way, your immune system went rogue and began attacking your body’s own tissues. This change from healthy to autoimmune isn’t instantaneous, it happens over years. As I explain in my book, it’s a spectrum, and the factor that pushes you up the spectrum and towards autoimmunity is inflammation.

When your immune system is continuously creating inflammation in response to the gluten you’re eating, your leaky gut, and the microbes and toxins flooding your bloodstream, you develop chronic inflammation. Your immune system is now stressed and is less able to attack pathogens and invaders with precision. Instead, it begins indiscriminately sending wave after wave of attack in a desperate attempt to fight off the invaders. Eventually, your body’s own tissues end up on the receiving end of the attack, and you end up with an autoimmune disease.

The only way to give your immune system the break it needs to regain its precision so that it can stop mistakenly attacking you, is to remove gluten entirely.

“Remove entirely” is a tough phrase to read when considering transitioning to gluten-free.

I know. Oh, how I know. Some of my very favorite foods are gluten bombs: biscuits, pancakes, doughnuts, bread of all shapes and sizes,  GrapeNuts cereal. . . I could go on and on.

But I could also go on and on about the benefits I have experienced since going gluten-free and the changes I have seen in our daughter since removing the gluten from her diet as well. I noticed an immediate reduction in bloat and overall inflammation: my morning stiffness was greatly improved, and my skin cleared up.You can read more about my diet here.

My daughter stopped having chronic stomach issues, her energy level tripled,  her allergies improved, and the dark circles under her eyes disappeared. It has been an amazing experience.

A few points of consideration when going gluten-free:

It is easier than it used to be.

Being gluten-free is popular and as a result, there are many foods available now that are “gluten-free.” But, as with most “diets,” gluten-free is not guaranteed to be healthier (gluten-free cookies are still cookies!).

Some gluten-containing foods have the nutrition that you’re going to have to get elsewhere (not from those cookies, though):

  • Folate/folic acid (vitamin B9). Many breads and cereals are fortified with this vitamin. To get it naturally, make sure you’re eating plenty of leafy greens. And if you’re planning to get, or are pregnant, talk to your healthcare professional about this critical nutrient.
  • Dietary fiber. Whole wheat is a major source of this all-too-important and often forgotten nutrient. High-fiber gluten-free foods include brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds, chia seeds, beans/legumes, and fruits and veggies.

So if you’re going gluten-free, choose real food! Choose nutrient-dense whole foods (not gluten-free processed junk foods) to make sure you get all the nutrition you need.

Here’s my recipe for banana chocolate chip muffins, which is actually quite healthy, but tastes like an indulgent treat.

I realize the idea of transitioning to gluten-free can be daunting. I was freaked out about it too, especially when I added my daughter into the mix. But trust me, if I can do it you can too. Going gluten-free has been a very positive experience for us and was the first step I took toward taking back my health post-diagnosis.

Want gluten-free recipes delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to my newsletter here.

Here’s to getting real results!

Need help with gluten-free meal planning and snack ideas? Try Real Plans today!

Customizable Meal Plans

Filed Under: Food

Sign up to get access to all of the goodies!

Gray is Gorgeous is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Previous Post: « Detox Your Beauty Routine in Five Simple Steps
Next Post: Paleo Pumpkin Muffins: nut, gluten, grain, and dairy free »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    at

    I once thought gluten-free was a fad (except for those with celiac), but now I know better. For too many people, gluten increases zonulin – a protein that controls the tight junctures between the cells of the digestive tract. Increased zonulin causes leaky gut – which can lead to a whole host of autoimmune diseases (in studies, they were able to induce type 1 diabetes in rats by increasing their zonulin levels!) Sorry, I can go on and on about leaky gut, gluten, gut health and all the problems related to poor gut health. Thanks for the great post, I want everyone to know the benefits of going gluten-free!

    Reply
    • Asa says

      at

      Thank you for your comment. I could not agree more with you and wish I had known what I know now years ago!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome

I believe one should never underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee or the perfect glass of wine and that non-toxic living is the key to aging healthfully and beautifully. Read More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

😱Every time I post this before photo people can 😱Every time I post this before photo people can’t believe it’s me- and I get it. 😂

🏥I had just been diagnosed with RA  and was making huge changes to my lifestyle as part of my treatment plan, which included ditching the dye in an effort to clean up my routine to limit toxin exposure. 🫧🌱

✂️I decided cutting it off would be a good way to start the process. I sure wish Instagram had been around back then. I definitely would have done a few things differently, but I have zero regrets. 

🌪️For anyone looking to embrace your gray/ grey (both are correct, by the way)- go for it. 💪🏻

I am here for you every step of the way.

Check my bio link @gray.is.gorgeous for hair help (and more). 

#rheumatoidarthritis #rheumatoidarthritiswarrior #grayisgorgeous #goinggrayonpurpose #ditchthedye #nontoxicliving #antiinflammatorylifestyle #silversisters #grayhairtransition #beforeandafterhair #grayhairdontcare #grayhairbeforeandafter #ditchthetoxins #nontoxicbeauty
❓I know there are many questions and misconcepti ❓I know there are many questions and misconceptions surrounding Biosimilar medications, so I am very grateful to @mediqcme for the opportunity to learn and share about this important topic as a patient advocate for rheumatoid arthritis. I will share more in my stories tomorrow and Friday. 

➡️Please see my stories today for a link to a quick survey over biosimilar medications. You could win a $100 gift card! 

Thanks @mediqcme 
Supported  by Pfizer Inc. 

#mediqcme #biosimilar #autoimmunity 
#rheumatoidarthritis #biosimilars
🎉Aging is a privilege and definitely worth cele 🎉Aging is a privilege and definitely worth celebrating. 

❓Where are my 1940’s, 50s, 60s, and 70s sisters? 

➡️Comment your birth year below and let’s celebrate aging (like fine wine). 🍷❤️

🌪️🌪️Sister sisters: Recreate this reel or post a pic with your date. Use the hashtag #silversistersborninthe40s50s60s70s (thank you @michelles_stellar_stories for the suggestion. 

🏷️Be sure to tag me and I’ll share it! 

#Proage #1972 #celebrateaging #embraceyourage #agingisliving #agingisaprivilege #silversisters #embracethegrey #grayhairmovement #grayhairdontcare #over50andfabulous
⬆️It’s all about the lift! ⭐️Placing c ⬆️It’s all about the lift! 

⭐️Placing color higher on the cheekbones creates visual lift for your lovely face. 

🥰Cream blushes are my go-to choice because they are easy to apply, easy to correct if I apply too much, can double as lid and lip color, last longer than powder, and are hydrating (won’t dry me out or settle into fine lines. 

➡️You can find it by clicking the clean beauty link in my bio @gray.is.gorgeous, in my highlights, or I am happy to send a direct link via DM anytime. 

#creamblush #nontoxicbeauty #over40beauty #makeupreel #makeuptipsandtricks #creamblush #over50beauty #easymakeuptutorial #makeupfacelift
Thanks for the question, @samoyed_1 🥰 I am oft Thanks for the question, @samoyed_1 🥰

I am often asked about my hair, so I put together a list of products I use (it is separated by curls versus gray). 

➡️I will link to it in my stories today, add it to my hair highlights, and I am always happy to DM links as well.

Enjoy! And reach out anytime with questions! 

#nontoxichairproducts #curlcurl #curlygirls #curlygreyhair #curlybob #curlyhairproducts
💄I haven’t shared a makeup reel in a while (t 💄I haven’t shared a makeup reel in a while (this is a repost with new audio because the audio was removed from the original) but I’m still using the the same clean products and five minute routine. 

➡️Check my stories and clean beauty link in my bio @gray.is.gorgeous and clean makeup highlights for more info and exciting deals happening now. 

#over50makeup #quickmakeup #cleanbeautyproducts #beautyshouldbegoodforyou #lowtoxlifestyle #nontoxicmakeup #sustainablebeauty #crueltyfreebeautyproducts #over40beauty #autoimmunebeauty
📞30 minutes this time. This is especially bad b 📞30 minutes this time. This is especially bad because I hate talking on the phone and the added time increases the anxiety.🤣

😭I am still without meds though (my doctor called them in on Feb 13th), so I have no choice. This is what happens every time our insurance changes. 
😡If I haven’t mentioned this lately- #rasucks 

#rheumatoidarthritis #rheumatoidarthritiswarrior #spoonielife #onhold #introvertproblems #waitingwaitingwaiting #chronicillnesshumor
© 2023 Gray is Gorgeous