Glutton for Gluten?

You may recall that I blogged about watching Dr. Oz’s ” Leaky Gut ” T.V. episode recently. And you may even remember me having mentioned that when it comes to my diet, I am at a crossroads of confusion. To date, I have yet to determine the right course to take.

I find myself trying to figure out some sort of fusion between a gluten-free and anti-inflammatory diet. I mean, is there such a thing? I have no serological evidence to suggest that I am intolerant to gluten, yet I see that some of my fellow Sjoggies and Autoimmune Friends follow a Gluten-free diet and claim to feel better. I admit that I think it is worth a go to try to find out. I mean what have I got to lose at this point? Maybe a few aches and pains if I am lucky. And what’s a little withdrawal from foods that I crave in the quest for better health.

Yet, every time I think about trying to start (and totally commit in a non-cheating way) to any regimented food plan, I find myself in some sort of action paralysis. Do any of you feel that way or is it just me? I don’t know whether it is the learning curve I am reluctant to deal with. Or whether I am listening to that little voice in my gluten-filled head that keeps telling me there is no way that I can give up every gluten-containing food (and more importantly…dessert) that I have spent my life eating, regardless of the inflammation hell that I live in.

But last night I may have received a sign that it is time. When attending our semi-annual Condo Homeowner’s Association Meeting, we were introduced to a new neighbor couple. When speaking to the gentleman and discussing the typical ” and what do you do” type questions…here it came. The couple owns a nearby market that sells all Gluten-free and Organic products. Further, he teaches about the Gluten-free diet and Celiac Disease at one of the local hospitals. It appeared to be a sign to me…just like the red, neon flashing signs we produce in our business.

He might have been a bit worried when he saw how my face lit up..especially when I said, “Oh, my goodness..what great timing”. ” Not only can you instruct me on how to adopt the Gluten-free life..you can also be a speaker for our new Sjogren’s Support Group”. Poor guy. He probably felt like every physician feels when they are accosted at out of work events, to answer people’s random medical questions. If so, he was very gracious of my genuine, gluten-free enthusiasm and did not appear to be sending out the ” rescue me “ look to his wife.

I have now arrived at the ” It’s time to quit talking about it and just do it ” gluten-free starting point. I am working on making a serious attitude change from what I am giving up…to what I am gaining. I will try hard not to focus on the proven fact that my willpower when it comes to sweets (either gluten-free or not) is totally absent. Of course it did not help to reinforce my very early gluten-free decision when the neighbor indicated that eating just one non-gluten-free cookie would stay in one’s system for 6 weeks. What a red-flag message that was to my usual diet-cheating self.

So here goes…we are taking the Gluten-free eating and education plunge for better or worse. Stay tuned for my Sjo-gluten-free updates.

Enjoy your weekend everybody!

SjoDry