Falling off the ladder

   While I was on vacation, I must have eaten something I hadn’t. I am not sure if it was some old home fries, which I suspect or something from a buffet, which I equally suspect.  When I make meals, I know exactly what ingredients go into the meal and how it is prepared. This is never guaranteed when you eat out. Even when you think a food is made a certain way, you still cannot be sure. We started our trip on Monday, by Tuesday late morning my stomach ached as it did when I first started this venture towards healing. It seemed as though I had erased 5 months of healing in just a day or two. I had just started experimenting with introducing a small amount of potato back into my diet. I had been adding just a small amount to my stir fries. That seemed okay, but maybe the home fries were more than I could handle. Who knows? It certainly could have been something else taken from the buffet.

   So to put aright this reversal in healing, I found an Aloe Vera drink at the store. It seemed to help. I have returned to my no grain, no nightshade diet in hopes of restoring the healing that I have lost. This was definitely an important lesson for me. I wish I could be sure of the catalyst for this stomach ache. I will have to experiment further in the future.

   Since I have been avoiding irritants for several months now, I wonder if any reappearance of an irritant creates an even stronger reaction than before. I liken it to those who have partaken of large amounts of alcohol and build up a tolerance to it, and then stop can have an increased reaction if alcohol is re-introduced.

   Anyway. I am back on track. I do feel a little bit better. I am travelling back of the ladder to healing once again.

Eating Out Grain-Free

   Just the other day, someone asked me, because of my diet, if I still went out for meals. The answer is yes. We do not go out as often because the meals we make at home are much more colorful and flavorful than we usually get at a diner or restaurant.

   So how does this work. Every restaurant we have visited has had no issue with us requesting bread and croutons be omitted from our meals. I look for broiled or baked entrees, substitute cottage cheese, cole slaw, vegetable or fruit for the starch. For instance, a recent meal consisted of: broiled cod with butter, lemon and pepper; steamed broccoli; cottage cheese; and water with lemon. Not only was this meal delicious and filling, but totaled just 401 calories.

   Another recent meal out consisted of: petite sirloin steak; broccoli;, sautéed zucchini and yellow squash; and water and lemon. Again, delicious and filling and a mere 424 calories. Each of these meals contained very little carbohydrates. They left me satisfied. Because I have gone awhile without grains, I had no craving for bread or pasta or even dessert.

   I track all that I eat so that I can keep track of my nutrient intake. According to LoseIt app, my calorie budget each day is just over 1900. I find that I eat much less than that, not purposely but because I just don’t feel the need to eat more. Proteins and fats satisfy you quickly, especially when you are not exposing yourself to the opiate-like substances in wheat which further stimulate your appetite. If you concentrate on vegetables over fruit, you also keep your blood sugar more level. Of course, starch vegetables can raise your glucose levels, but I avoid those too.

   You can have very satisfying meals in restaurants that are grain free. Even simple lunch items can be easily adjusted by the kitchen. Ask them to leave off the bread and eat the sandwich without it or ask them to wrap the sandwich contents in lettuce.

    Being mindful of how foods effect the body, this can be an effective lifestyle decision.

Tips for Dining Out Gluten-Free/Grain Free

One of the major challenges of the gluten-free/grain-free (GF2) lifestyle is dining out. I am happy to say that you don’t have to be a recluse. In fact, with so many restaurants including gluten-free options on their menus, it’s possible to go out with your friends and loved ones and stick with your diet too. The secret is simple… be prepared and here’s how…

1. Don't go hungry. The hungrier you are, the more likely you are to make a mistake. So eat something beforehand and/or be sure to bring some snacks to munch on while everyone else is filling up on the rolls. A friend of mine keeps individually packaged GF cookies and crackers in her purse.
2. As in theatre, know the show before you go. By that I mean, be familiar with the diet you are on. Whether you are staying away from gluten or grains all together, not only know what foods to avoid, but also where they are likely to be hidden. For example gluten or grain may be hidden in sauces, gravies, dressings, and condiments. So be sure to protect yourself against them.
3. Select a GF2 friendly restaurant. Check with the restaurant in advance to make sure there are menu items you can eat. In addition, you may want to check out one or more of celiac-friendly restaurant directories. Also..l. whether the restaurant is a chain restaurant or a local establishment, many offer gluten-free menus. So be sure to check out their menu online or have one emailed to you beforehand. If you're still not sure whether anything safe is on the menu, call ahead, preferably when the restaurant isn't busy, and speak with the chef or the manager
   
   Note: If you'll be dining at an Italian restaurant, call to ask whether they have gluten-free pastas. Many of them do. If not, ask whether they mind if you brought your own pasta. Many restaurants will be happy to prepare your gluten-free pasta and top it with their own fresh sauce.
   
4. Tell your server you're on a special diet. Advise them that you have dietary restrictions and need to know how the food is prepared. If your server does not understand, ask to speak with the restaurant manager or the chef. Also... consider bringing along a dining card that explain what you can and cannot eat. Cards are available in a wide variety of languages.
5. Select two or three dishes on the menu that look as though they may be safe, then be sure to ask questions. For example, look for simple dishes without coatings or sauces, or with sauces that can be left off. Check out and learn restaurant menu terms that indicate a dish containing gluten. In addition, be sure to always ask your server to tell the chef you cannot have wheat, barley or rye (or any grain for that matter if you are grain free). Ask a lot of questions and never assume anything is gluten-free or grain-free. Even if a menu item looks safe, a chef's secret recipe may include gluten or grains.
6. Be prepared to eat something that isn't your first choice. If nothing on the menu looks safe, ask if the chef if they can sauté’ some plain meat or fish in olive oil or butter and include some steam some vegetables. While it may not be the tastiest meal you ever had, keep in mind that the goal here is to eat food that does not make you feel sick.

Do you have any additional tips you would like to share with this community?