I Don't Knead Gluten: 
Two Old Friends Digest
the Gluten-Free Diet

Arthur: Bob, what in the name of all that is holy are you eating? It looks like a piece of cardboard that lost a fight with a belt sander.

Bob: It is a gluten-free almond flour cracker, Arthur. And for your information, it tastes... well, okay, it tastes exactly like cardboard. But it is good for me! I have been reading up on this whole gluten-free diet thing.

Arthur: What is the big deal with a gluten-free diet anyway? Everywhere I go, it is gluten-free this and gluten-free that. I did not even know what a gluten was until 2015. Is it a gremlin? Does it sneak into your house and steal your socks from the dryer?

Bob: No, you old coot. According to the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.org, gluten is simply a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It is the glue that helps foods keep their shape. It is what makes pizza dough stretchy and bread nice and fluffy.

Arthur: Fluffy bread! The horror! Why on earth do people go on a restrictive diet just to avoid fluffy bread?

Bob: Well, for some people, it is not a choice. There are those poor souls with celiac disease. For them, one single bite of an ordinary piece of bread or a bowl of pasta can keep them locked in the bathroom for hours, or worse. Their immune system literally attacks their own intestines! This population does not need to be told the advantages of a gluten-free diet, it is an absolute medical necessity for their survival.

Arthur: Alright, I get that. But you do not have celiac disease. You have an iron stomach. I saw you eat a three-day-old hot dog at the golf course last week. Why are you sitting here eating cardboard crackers?

Bob: Because even if you do not fall into that extreme group, there can be many advantages to adopting a gluten-free diet. A lot of people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. They do not even realize gluten is the cause of their daily miseries. In many people, gluten has been found to cause issues like fatigue, depression, migraine headaches, bloating, skin problems, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Arthur: What about brain fog? Is that why I walked into the kitchen yesterday and completely forgot why I was there?

Bob: That might just be because you are seventy-two, Arthur. But seriously, going gluten-free can positively impact your physical and mental health. Plus, my waistline might see an improvement, too.

Arthur: Wait a minute, you lose weight just by not eating gluten? Sign me up!

Bob: Hold your horses. The Cleveland Clinic at clevelandclinic.org points out that there is absolutely no evidence that simply getting rid of gluten magically melts fat. But think about it: foods high in gluten are often highly processed and unhealthy. Gone are the days when massive plates of pasta and endless breadsticks were considered healthy foods. Plus, think of all the butter, cheeses, heavy sauces, and other condiments we slather on them.

Arthur: You leave my Thanksgiving rolls out of this.

Bob: Exactly! How many rolls do you eat at Thanksgiving? How much lasagna do you pack away when Mildred makes it for dinner? Foods high in gluten often lead to overeating because they are so calorie-dense. When you cut out the gluten, you are usually cutting out a lot of processed junk and empty calories.

Arthur: Okay, that makes sense. But what about my aching knees? You know my arthritis has been acting up lately.

Bob: That is actually another huge reason to try it! Gluten-free foods can reduce inflammation all over your body. The Arthritis Foundation at arthritis.org notes that if you have a gluten sensitivity, changing your diet may help ease arthritis symptoms. Anything that reduces inflammation can potentially reduce arthritis pain, too. The National Institutes of Health at nih.gov also has studies showing a diet free of gluten often improves cholesterol levels, likely because you are removing processed carbohydrates and reducing overall inflammation.

Arthur: So, you are telling me if I drop the wheat, my knees might stop sounding like Rice Krispies every time I stand up?

Bob: It is certainly worth a try! If you suffer from joint pain, removing gluten from your diet is a simple experiment. You have nothing to lose except maybe some abdominal pain and fatigue.

Arthur: Should I consider it then? And if so, how do I even start? I feel like wheat is in absolutely everything.

Bob: You definitely should consider it, even if it is just for a week. Starting a gluten-free diet is a simple process. First, use these strategies: remove all sources of gluten from your diet. Anything that contains wheat contains gluten because gluten is part of wheat. But it is important to check labels like a hawk. Many items contain wheat as a filler, even things you would not expect, like some ice creams, soy sauce, and salad dressings

Arthur: Ice cream too? Now they have gone too far.

Bob: I know, it is a tragedy. But you just avoid the most common sources: bread, processed bowls of cereal, cookies, crackers, pancakes, and pasta. Instead, unbreaded meat and seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans are all excellent, naturally gluten-free options.

Arthur: What if I want a pancake, Bob? A man has needs.

Bob: If you want to make something that would typically have flour as an ingredient, many stores and online retailers offer a huge selection of alternative flours, such as almond, rice, or oat flour. And if you go out to eat, you can avoid gluten by sticking with whole foods, such as meats, fruits, and vegetables, without added mystery sauces.

Arthur: And how long do I have to suffer through this experiment?

Bob: Just see how you feel! If you have an issue with gluten, it will only take a few days to notice that you feel better, have more energy, and maybe have less joint pain. Assuming a few days without gluten is a positive experience, keep going. Continue your experiment and see how much better you feel after a week, a month, or longer. Many people are surprised by how much better they feel physically and mentally.

Arthur: Well, I suppose a gluten-free diet will not benefit everyone, but it sounds like many people will experience benefits by removing gluten from their diet. The physical and psychological benefits can be significant.

Bob: Exactly. It is worth the effort for everyone to try a gluten-free diet for a week. See how you feel and make an intelligent decision from there. You might find that giving up gluten is the best thing you have ever done for yourself.

Arthur: Alright, Bob. I will try it for a week. But if I catch you eating a real powdered donut behind my back, I am telling Mildred.

Bob: Deal. Now pass me the hummus, this cardboard needs some flavor.

Please share your thoughts and any response you may have in the form below.

Return to SeniorHealthyLifestyles.com

Bible Study Guides

It Is Written

Amazing Facts

Authentic

Nursing Home
Abuse & Neglect  https://olsonlawfirm.com/nursing-home-abuse-neglect/