My Journey Towards Gluten Freedom
It might have been a niche choice once, but living gluten-free has become a vibrant, healthy way of life for people like me! I’ve been living gluten-free for a decade now, and I haven’t looked back since I decided to cut wheat out of my diet. I am wheat-intolerant, and over the years, I’ve had my fair share of interesting, sometimes frustrating, and often comical experiences.
This blog is all about embracing the gluten-free lifestyle and sharing insights on how to adapt and thrive with this dietary choice.
Unlocking the Secret: Gluten's Hidden Impact on My Health.
Unlike people who suffer from celiac disease (a serious and debilitating illness), I grew up enjoying regular bread and gluten-packed meals without any issues. Cutting wheat out of my diet never crossed my mind, as it wasn’t a problem during my early years. I did experience occasional bouts of IBS, struggling with cramps and stomach problems from time to time, but usually attributed it to stressful events.
On my way to visit my parents one weekend, I bought a hot, fresh loaf of bread at a farm stall. The smell of the bread was deliciously inviting and when my mom cut the bread later that day, I could not resist having a slice or two as well. By evening, I had a stuffy nose and a slightly upset stomach, but I still did not connect the symptoms with eating bread at that stage.
Since my energy improved on the no-carb diet, I tried to stick with it on most days. Yet, when socializing with friends, I did occasionally indulge in carb-rich, gluten-containing meals without too much guilt. Over time, however, I started noticing that while rice and potatoes did not bother me, bread, cakes, and pasta triggered clogged sinuses and aggravated IBS symptoms.
Cracking the Code: How I Unraveled the Mystery of Wheat Intolerance
Being very curious by nature, I started to research IBS. By cutting out suspected triggers and reintroducing them into my diet one by one, wheat appeared as the front-runner in worsening symptoms. Oats were not a problem, and I could eat 100% rye products in moderation, but whenever I ate products with any form of wheat, my nose would clog up, I would feel bloated and crampy and, weirdly, it would feel as if my ears got plugged.
I started to cut out wheat on an 80/20 basis, meaning that I cut out regular bread and pizza/pasta 80% of the time, but did from time to time indulge in it when occasions arose where it was hard to avoid. I managed the after-effects by drinking loads of water, antihistamines, and medication like Buscopan or Librax for stomach cramps. On one of my pharmacy visits, I chatted with the pharmacist about the cramps and allergy symptoms, and she warned me that I should watch the symptoms since they could easily worsen over time. I remember brushing off the warning as I left the pharmacy, thinking that it was a mere food intolerance and that I could manage it.
From Sun-Drenched Kayaking to Dietary Desperation
In December 2012 I went on holiday with friends. We started with a week on the West Coast, kayaking in the ocean and relaxing after a busy year. We were in or on the ocean for a big part of every day, and in the evenings, we were cooking or braaiing together. After time with our families over for the Christmas long weekend, two of us headed to the Garden Route and set up camp, first near Plettenberg Bay and then on to the Knysna area for 10 days. The plan was to kayak all the rivers from Storms River to Sedgefield during the time that we were there.
This was one of my best holidays ever since I could tick off an item on my bucket list, namely rowing on all the Garden Route rivers. Being on the water for the biggest part of every day, however, brought with it its challenges. The most obvious one was to prevent sunburn, but there was also the issue of what to pack for lunch and snacks.
My friend loved his coffee (I do, too!) and packed a small gas canister with a stovetop espresso maker, for us to have coffee when we took a break next to the water. With bottles of water that also had to be packed, the easiest and lightest choice was to pack sandwiches and energy bars to refuel. In the evenings at our campsite, we usually ended up having a braai, and in South Africa, having a braai (barbeque) with garlic bread or a toasted cheese sarmie is almost mandatory.
By the end of the holiday, I had the satisfying feeling of days spent in the sun and on the water (with a suntan to match), and a tiredness that could be explained by the exercise that we did. However, as I returned to my usual routine, my energy seemed to ebb, without improving after a good night’s rest. I returned to work, but my focus was completely scattered, and even the smallest task started to feel overwhelming.
By mid-January, I had to take sick leave, something that I never had to do that early in a year. I was bloated and constipated, with bad stomach cramps and a mind fog that I had never experienced before. Constant headaches added to my misery, and no pain medication seemed to provide relief. After a thorough examination by my doctor, we found that my digestive system had completely clogged up and nothing was working its way through. My body just stopped digesting the food in my intestinal tract.
The Road to Recovery
My doctor referred me to a dietician, in the hopes that we could get everything working again. I was on the verge of collapse; my body was sore all over and words cannot describe the mugginess of my thoughts. I was desperate! For the next month, I followed a diet that cut out all carbs, coffee, sugar, and dairy. I had to drink 3.8L of fluid every day, either water or unsweetened, black rooibos tea. I saw the dietician every week and after a month, my body slowly started to return to normal. But it was still not there, so I stuck to that diet for another month.
After two months, my energy was back. My thoughts were clear, and I could get through my daily routine without feeling like I just ran a marathon. I knew that I did not EVER want to feel that way again, and from that day on, I cut wheat out of my diet completely. I had to learn to read labels and research certain foods and will discuss what I learned in this blog.
What fascinates me is that my brain just found an off-switch when it comes to wheat. It’s been 10 years, but to this day, I cannot force myself to eat it. 100% rye is okay in moderation, but wheat is an absolute no-go. I can appreciate the sight of a beautiful cake in a coffee shop, but I have no desire to eat it. This does not mean that I lost my sweet tooth, but I’ve learned how to manage it and enjoy cakes, pasta and bread in a gluten-free way.
Join me on this journey and let’s talk gluten-free!
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