Living a Gluten free Lifestyle.

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 to help lead those of you with allergies in a direction that is both healthy and encouraging.


So, why live a gluten free lifestyle? The answer is plain and simple because if you choose a gluten free diet then you are choosing the healthiest diet on the planet. That is only if you do it correctly. A gluten free diet may dramatically improve your health, both physical and emotional.

The gastrointestinal symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are vast. Although most people think diarrhea is the most common symptom, gastrointestinal symptoms can include constipation, gas, bloating, reflux, and even vomiting.

These are some of the "classic"- though not the most common- symptoms of celiac disease:

Abdominal pain and distension
Acid reflux
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gas and flatulence
Greasy, foul-smelling, floating stools
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss or weight gain

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are gastrointestinal conditions because the damage is done to the small intestine. But people more commonly have what are called extraintestinal(outside the intestine) symptoms. These make up an extensive list of more than 250 symptoms, including the following:

Fatigue and weakness (due to iron-deficiency anemia)
Vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies
Headaches (including migraines)
Joint or bone pain
Depression, irritability, listlessness, and mood disorders
"fuzzy brain" or an inability to concentrate
Infertility
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Dental enamel deficiencies and irregularities
Seizures
Ataxia (bad balance)
Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy
Respiratory problems
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers)
Lactose intolerance
Eczema/psoriasis
Rosacea ( a skin disorder)
Acne
Hashimoto's disease, sjogren's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune disorders
Early onset osteoporosis
Hair loss (alopecia)
Bruising easily
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Muscle cramping
Nosebleeds
Swelling and inflammation
Night blindness

Now it is time for you to watch out for your children. Kids who have celiac disease or sensitivity to gluten tend to have the "classic" gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea or constipation. They may also have some of the following symptoms that aren't gastrointestinal in nature:

Inability to concentrate.
Irritability
ADD/ADHD or autistic-type behaviors.
Failure to thrive (in infants and toddlers).
Short stature or delayed growth.
Delayed onset of puberty.
Weak bones or bone pain.
Abdominal pain and distension.
Nosebleeds.
With such an overwhelming assortment of symptoms, it's no wonder people are often misdiagnosed before finding out that they have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It's also no wonder so many people go undiagnosed.

We will continue with this topic on my next posting. Now it is time for a new allergy free recipe.

Allergy free brownies- yum yum

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas, mashed 
 1 1/2 cups canola oil
1 cup potato flour
1 cup of brown rice flour
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
5/8 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven too 325 degrees F (165 degrees C.) Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the potato flour, rice flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Blend together the bananas and oil in a separate bowl. Stir the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until well blended. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until they appear dry on the top. Cool completely, and cut into squares.

 I hope you enjoy and we'll see you next time on Life Around The Allergies