The hurt is real....

I was glutened recently, my own fault as I just think I can cheat now and again. I think because I haven't had a formal diagnosis of Coeliac Disease or anything I think that I'll be fine but no. It's not until you do eat something with gluten that it usually comes with a whole lot of regret.

You see some think that us non diagnosed gluten free'ers are just fad dieting and it's just not real but I can tell you it is. Sometimes we get 'glutened' because we make a mistake or forget to check the labels, it's easily done but hey it's ok it's not going to kill us eh?

Well the effects can be really bad. I'm not going into too much detail but for me it means excessive wind, continuous trips to the loo for a number 2 and  stomach cramps. It also makes me very drowsy, as if I've taken a light sedative - not good. For those that do have Coeliac Disease though it is quite serious. It is an autoimmune condition which means the body's immune system mistakes substances inside gluten products as a threat and attacks them, this can cause damage to the intestines disrupting the body's ability to absorb the nutrients from foods.

Serious stuff eh? For me I imagine I just have an intolerance but the symptoms are bad enough and I don't like it. These symptoms are the reason I gave up the gluten and have been living a nice 'happy tummy' life since so I know it was the right thing to do. I really need to have words with myself and tell myself I can't have that cake, that biscuit or pinch a bit of the kids pizza as I will have to face the consequences. 

I hope that highlights a bit about why some of us are on a gluten free diet. It really isn't to try and lose weight, in fact some gluten free foods are not any less fattening than normal so it's no advantage to weight loss. It is necessary and vitally important. I have to learn to say NO! 

​Thanks for reading, catch me tomorrow for Autism Support Saturday - take care!!