Whether you have Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, going gluten free is essential for healing your body and feeling good. Sometimes though, even with people giving it their best, they still don’t feel great. They still have the symptoms they struggle with. It is frustrating. Here are 5 reasons you may not be feeling better.
- You are exposing yourself to hidden gluten. Gluten is in things that would surprise you. It’s a binder in mascara, it’s used in lipstick and lotions, shampoo’s and conditioners, dish soap and much more. It also has many names and you might not realize you are consuming it. Learn the names and read the labels of everything you buy.
- You are using the same cookware, silverware and dishes you had before going gluten free. Gluten cannot be cooked or washed off unfortunately. You need to replace or get a second set of, well, everything. This is obviously expensive but it will be worth it in the long run. Buying a couple pieces a pay period, shopping when items are on sale or at discount stores like TJ Maxx have helped me make the transition easier.
- You eat out often. Restaurants are often not taught about cross-contamination. So while the food they give you is labeled gluten free or naturally gluten free (like vegetables) they are often contaminated. They steam the vegetables with the same water they just boiled gluten-y pasta in. They made french fries in the same fryer as the breaded onion wings and chicken tenders. They use bread crumbs in the burgers or flour the fish so it won’t stick to the pan. They may not have dishes and cookware designated to just for gluten free orders. Or maybe they don’t know to change their gloves and at the very least, wipe down the counters.
- You haven’t healed your gut. Elimination, while essential, isn’t the stopping point. Your body has been damaged and it needs extra assistance in healing. Incorporating a gut healing protocol is essential to feeling better and faster.
- You have other food sensitivities. Usually undiagnosed food sensitivities lead to what is called “leaky gut.” This leads to secondary food sensitivities. Healing the gut and eliminating all aggravating foods, including the real culprits in our damaged digestive tract. Once you have eliminated all offending foods, done a gut healing protocol will often lead to incorporating some of the foods that use to bother you. Getting a food sensitivities test is essential in your journey to healing and vibrant health.
To find all the sources of gluten invading your life, to heal your gut, and live the life outside of your home you desire, check out my 12 day Thrive Gluten Free online course. Click here to learn more.
Or you can contact me to ask questions and schedule your free 30 minute consult.
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17 thoughts on ““I’m Gluten Free But I Still Don’t Feel Well””
This comic is SO funny!
Also….
I have nominated you for the liebster award!
http://underthebrella.com/2014/10/20/blogging-award-liebster-award/
This comic is SO funny!
Also….
I have nominated you for the liebster award!
http://underthebrella.com/2014/10/20/blogging-award-liebster-award/
Hi Marion,
I have been gluten-free since 1986 when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I tell people that I was gluten-free,before it was cool. One thing that happened with me, I fell through the cracks. I wasn’t told about cross contamination, so I’m glad you talked a bit about it. However, people also need to realize that cross-contamination can happen using the same toaster, and the same condiments that everyone else in the family are dipping their knives into.
You also talk about “hidden” gluten. People are always surprised when I tell them that gluten is found in certain canned chicken broth. That’s why I make my own. I can’t say it enough, always, always read labels, and know what the hidden terms of gluten are.
Thanks for a great post.
Hi Mary,
Yes cross contamination can and does happen sharing appliances, cookware, pots and pans, and even sharing counterspace while cooking with flours. My mom grew up with mascara causing her to lose her eyelashes depending on the brand. Now we know that it was the gluten in the mascara that caused the reaction. It’s really crazy all the places gluten hides.
Thanks for this great post. This is definitely great information that I can offer to one of my clients who has a gluten sensitivity. I didn’t know that gluten stuck to existing plates and silverware. Thanks!
Great tips! Especially the one about discovering other food sensitivities… It can be difficult to pin point exactly what they are and I think a lot of people don’t fully commit to eliminating foods from their diet if they don’t see immediate improvement.
Yes it definitely is frustrating for many people and clients. I always emphasize the importance of getting an allergy panel done with a naturopathic doctor.
I never thought of the points you made. Especially when you talk about frying or boiling foods in pots that were used to cook foods with gluten. I also did not know that gluten cannot be washed off pans. I have started seeing more skin care products that are gluten free so it’s great to see so many options for those who can’t have gluten foods.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for shedding some light on this topic. Many individuals in society do not have allergies or any type of food sensitivity, so they do no take the necessary precautions when preparing food. These tips will be great to share with people dealing with gluten allergies!
great comments here! I am gluten free and have other sensitivities as well..I really get how challenging this can be. So true about healing the gut. Im so grateful that I learned how important that was…thanks for these great reminders!
Such great information in this post and I love the questions we can ask ourselves to better u derdtand hoe we are feeling and what foods are right for us.
I had never heard of cookware holding gluten, even when being washed. We use stainless steel so I can’t imagine it’s absorbed into anything. My daughter was diagnosed with allergies to gluten, dairy and eggs. We have used the same cookware and she has been fine, thankfully. It’s pretty much made me gluten free as well and I find that going to restaurants is the hardest thing. We have to be very specific and they usually end up asking their chefs and managers what we can and cannot eat. At one place I was shocked when the waitress said they put egg in their lemonade. Who would ever guess?!?
I do need to adjust that stainless steel does not hold gluten. Thank you for pointing that out. It’s the non-stick that gets scratched that does. All baking ware usually needs to be replaced because of all the nooks and crannies they have, strainers, plastic containers, cooking utensils, toaster, cutting boards, food storage containers that once held gluten, etc. It is always amazing to me where allergens hide. We truly have to ask and advocate for ourselves and children. My daughter is Celiac and eating out is usually a challenge at new places. We have about 10 we frequent whenever we go out (which isn’t often.)
Great post! I think these are a lot of things that people commonly overlook when trying to cut out gluten. There have been giant leaps toward awareness, I remember when my uncle had one, maybe two places he could shop that carried anything gluten-free and eating out was out of the question. The amount of intolerance and allergies people have are growing at such an outstanding rate that it is important to keep a lot of these tips in mind when it comes to any food allergy! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve never thought about the cross contamination aspect of cookware before, but it makes total sense. The rest of the list is a great thing to keep in mind as well, thank you for putting that together.
This is fabulous! I had no idea about many of these things! This will be so helpful to pass along to others. Thank you!
It is really crazy all the places gluten lurks plus other aspects that play a role in feeling better. I am glad you found it helpful.