Going Gluten-Free

During a particularly rough tummy day, Jeff made a groundbreaking discovery.  As we sat on a park bench, taking a break from our bike ride to help ease my stomach, he researched some of my symptoms on his phone.  We realized I have been experiencing 5 of the 6 most common symptoms of Celiac Disease.  

Apparently, it's a well-known condition in America now, but having both been absent for the last year or more, we haven't experienced the flood of information and hype about going gluten-free.  That being said, there are lots of resources on the internet now to help give hints on how to adhere to the necessary strict diet.

According to my research, it is important, for various reasons, to get tested by a doctor for the disease before changing your diet.  While I had every intention of doing this, it wasn't in the cards.  Celiacs is virtually unknown in Korea, and the doctors lack the blood tests required.  At least that's the case with the internal specialist in Ansan I talked to, along with the doctors at the University Hospital in Seoul.

So, as a plan B, I decided to embark on a 3 week trial of eliminating gluten - even trace gluten - from my diet, keeping a detailed food journal all the while, and assessing if I've improved.

I started my food journal on June 26th, and currently sit one day shy of 4 weeks.  

While not all of my symptoms have disappeared, I've reduced them from four different types of stomach aches to one.  I've heard it said that even nonceliacs may feel healthier when switching gluten free - and I definitely realize this doesn't provide a for-sure  diagnosis, but I feel better and am willing to continue!

The scariest aspect of this experiement was doing without.  Boxing up all of my oatmeal (aka daily breakfast of choice), spaghetti, mixes, sauces, chocolate, bread, mouth wash, beer, etc. etc. etc.

Although that has gotten easier (thanks to Iherb.com), it is still a daunting task to eat out, given that you have to be cautious of all of the mystery ingredients and endless opportunities for cross-contamination, including frying or boiling non-gluten items in pans or grease used for wheat, barley, or rye - including foods.  

My current stance is that although I miss certain foods, the convenience of less kosher-style cooking, and the freedom to leave the house without worrying about whether I could find safe foods elsewhere, my improved digestive health is worth it.  It is so worth it.  It has lessened stomach aches, improved overall health (as it has been a mostly whole-foods diet), opened me up to new, creative recipes, and improved my mental and emotional contentedness.  I feel more relaxed and optimistic and am hoping with more time my final tummy symptom will fade away.  Hopefully this is an answer to my "unexplained" anemia, as well.