Gluten Free Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy

When I was first diagnosed with gluten and dairy protein allergies, there were very few options for me. I learned to read labels and found that almost everything that was processed had some form of gluten or dairy, and usually both. I didn’t realize at first that I was going to have to eliminate processed foods and refined sugars too! No one told me to eat whole foods, mostly plants. I thought I could just find substitutes for the foods I loved. Not so much!

I loved pasta, bread, cookies, all the things that fed the bad bacteria in my gut. Once I knew I could no longer eat those, I went in search of substitutes. Back then (probably 15 years ago), there were few choices. I did find a few cookies and some pasta but found I still didn’t feel good after eating them. I learned that just because it was labeled gluten/dairy free, didn’t mean it was healthy. Those foods were still processed with lots of unhealthy things added to make them taste okay. Not good, just okay.

Today there are a lot of options, gluten free/dairy free printed in bold bright colors to catch your attention. Some of them are actually healthy. Most are not. Take a look at the ingredients. How many preservatives, sugars, ingredients that you can’t even pronounce are there? My rule of thumb is 5 or less ingredients and I have to be able to pronounce and know what those are, like rice flour, egg, sea salt, avocado oil. Get the picture?

Don’t be fooled by labeling. Go one step further. Turn the package over. Read what the actual ingredients are. Look for whole foods. These days, there are some great and very tasty options. Healthy doesn’t mean tasteless anymore. People have learned to add herbs and natural ingredients for flavor and texture. Minimally processed and whole foods are so much better for us!

It’s sad that our bodies have been so poisoned by pesticides, herbicides, food-like products, preservatives, and non-food ingredients that gluten sensitivities, allergies, and celiac have become almost epidemic. The good thing is, since it is so wide-spread, food companies are having to adjust and learn to change the way they make things. Small independent companies are popping up all over because people are frustrated and figuring out how to create their own tasty and healthy food.

It might be a bit more expensive at the check stand, but in the long run, your health will be so much better that you won’t have the doctor bills and prescriptions, so you save!!

Let’s support healthy eating. If you would like a list of some companies I support (and love their products)., drop me a quick email with Support Healthy Eating in the subject line. I’d love to help you make some healthy changes!