Are you finding it difficult to lose weight and does your belly feel bloated? You could be gluten intolerant.
You may be gluten intolerant and not even realize. The symptoms of gluten intolerance can easily go undetected as they can be confused with many other health challenges. Gluten intolerance can cause a range of mild to severe symptoms which may then lead to harmful complications.
\"Wheat Free\"
What is Gluten?
Let me explain first of all what Gluten is and how and why it is used in foods and hopefully you can determine if you are gluten intolerant. Even if you do not know, you can always try a gluten free diet for a few weeks to see if there is any discernible difference.
Gluten is a protein found in grains such as: wheat, rye oats (yes even oats), barley and spelt and is a main ingredient in some foods to bind, fatten (note word fatten) and add texture.
It is often in cereal, toast, sandwich, pasta, lasagna and may even be in bacon. Manufacturers use gluten to plump up and fill out meat. They even use it in salami, sausage and turkey. So if you are gluten intolerant you really need to read the labels on everything!
Gluten can block the absorption of vital minerals and vitamins and can lead to weight gain and a bloated belly. Even if you are not officially gluten intolerant, cutting it out of your diet will provide many benefits because it is an empty food that can have harmful side effects.
You can become addicted to certain foods containing gluten, hence the cravings and sometimes ravenous hunger levels.
The Most Common Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance:
- Stomach cramps
- Recurring constipation/diarrhea
- Bloating that can make you look pregnant
- Tiredness/fatigue/depression
- Headaches
- Flatulence or indigestion
- Fluid retention
- Groggy upon waking
- Brain fog
- Joint or muscle aches
- Eczema, acne, skin rash
- Cravings for wheat foods such as bread
- Weight gain
So what can we do to avoid gluten?
Avoid eating foods which commonly contain gluten:
Bread, biscuits, cookies, pastry, crackers anything containing flour. Try rice flour, corn flour or potato flour. Try rice noodles and rice pasta.
Nearly all cereals, try gluten free. Sauces are often thickened with flour. Soups, most soups contain flour to thicken. Soy products, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, oyster sauce. Boiled candy, contains loads of gluten.
Pizza, because they use wheat flour for the base.
What you can Eat:
Fruit, yogurt, eggs, bacon (check) hash browns (check) gluten free cereal and gluten free bread. Food manufacturers are now making many products that are gluten free.
Chicken, fish, beef, vegetables, potatoes, hummus, rice noodles for pasta, risotto, baked dinners, gluten free gravy, nuts and popcorn,
If you must have take out like McDonalds - any meat burger but drop the bun, same with Burger King but no fries!
Get into the habit of reading labels so you can become familiar with food ingredients. Not only for gluten but also for sugar, additives and preservatives.
Try a diet free of gluten for a week or two and see if there is any improvement. Most people do benefit from it even if you have not done the medical tests to prove you are gluten intolerant.
Follow the secrets in this life changing ultimate guide for advice on gluten intolerance and healthy nutrition.
Gluten Intolerant Or Gluten Sensitivity - Do You Feel Fat, Tired and is Your Stomach Bloated?
For all the advice and tips on attaining your dream lean physique kick-start your approach with http://www.flatbellyhealth.com.
Kelly Beck is a qualified Pilates Instructor who is passionate about fitness and health.