Last month I gave up wheat for the first time. Now that may not sound like a lot to you but for a person who starts the day with a fried egg on toast, has a sandwich-on-the go for lunch and for whom dinner time usually means pasta (homemade, but no points for that), wheat forms a fair share of the dinner plate.
So as you can probably guess it’s been a tough couple of weeks.
It all started when I read about the significance of that first food that one reaches out for. That first food that your taste buds yearn for when you sit down at the table. That first food may actually be the biggest stumbling block towards good health.
Is it fried chicken? The glass of chilled wine? In my case it is always been the bread. And when my kids and I started to choose our Friday night restaurant based on the quality of bread basket I knew I had to make a change.
No more wheat
I like trying unfamiliar dishes and ingredients, and cooking with new techniques. Many of these experiments are successful and others leave a bad taste in the mouth. Literally!
My weakness though is bread. I have yet to meet a bread I didn’t like. Freshly baked garlic bread with crunchy sesame seeds, that’s MY Achilles Heel, which brings me to a wheat-free diet and giving up my favourite food. And why everyone should try it.
It is a test of your will power.
There I said it. I’m not a marathon runner, or a runner of any kind. I don’t lift weights, or do chin-ups. I’ve been chubby all my life, and I am used to people telling me, “Have more self-control” at dinner time.
This month I realised that I do have self-control even when faced with a great weakness. Willpower is like a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly or it becomes flabby and useless. Self-control around the dinner table can only help our strength and determination to face the world around us.
Going wheat-free has taken a chunk off my plate.
A wheat-free diet is growing in popularity. The good part is that it limits your options so it’s burgers without the bun and curry without naan. Since I’m a closet vegetarian I find I’m choosing salads and other vegetarian options to round out my meal. And no, I’m not starving myself. I can still inhale a bag of potato chips without missing a beat – it’s wheat-free after all 🙂
The impact on my body
I’ve noticed some small changes. My belly is a little flatter and I feel less bloated at the end of the day. My rings fit me a little better during the day, and my pants are a little less snug despite little weight loss.
What about my mind?
I have felt a big difference here. I feel calmer. I’m better able to manage my stress and I feel as if a fog has lifted. And I’m not yelling at my kids as much. It’s still early days though so I am looking forward to how I will change over the next few months.
I am looking forward to the change, in my body and mind, yes, but also my habits. I have made this commitment for at least three months. I know that this may seem like a random length of time, but research says that it is an appropriate time to cleanse the system and also learn new habits. And that’s what I’m hoping will come out of this exercise. Healthy new habits. And the ability to say NO to that delicious bread basket.
What is your favourite food? Have you thought about staying away from it for a while?
Congrats on doing a gluten free challenge! Give it at least the full month, and when you reintroduce it into your diet you will be even more aware if the effects it has on you!
Need more recipe ideas? All recipes on http://www.ThePrimalDesire.com are gluten free.
Glad to see you sharing your experiences!
Looking forward to seeing the change in my habits and my body, perhaps there’s another article in there 🙂
Best of luck, though in my experience, ever since, I decided to stay away from gluten free stuff-13 years ago-I have lost a lot of fat.
I have done this for years and it does help. I almost went to an extent where my body started resisting gluten, but now I sometimes eat a little pizza every now and then. You feel healthier too!
Such an informative read! Will surely try to incorporate these! Wish me luck 😛
Nice challenge..thanks for sharing 🙂
Do check out my blog too 🙂
https://paradiseofpassions.wordpress.com/
This is amazing information.. and really helpful..now i will keep that in mind
It is actually hard to give up a food that you love but you are right. We have to look into the effects of that food in our body. It is important to stay healthy.
[…] few months cooking for my family has become more complicated. Due to a number of health reasons I eat gluten-free as much as possible. My younger one has been following an elimination diet where she is not able to […]
Good for you Puneeta! After over a year of severe headaches, which all testing and imaging was normal, and her doctor had no suggestions. I suggested my daughter give up gluten to see if made a difference. That was over 2 months ago, and she has been headache free pretty much since the first day! If she accidently consumes gluten she gets a pounding headache almost immediately after, so she is extra-careful about checking labels now since gluten can hide in so many products!
Oh I’m so glad you figured out the culprit, Maureen. I feel for you and your daughter. I gave up wheat a year and half ago and I feel the difference every time I fall off the wagon. I am cranky and bloated and those headaches!!!! Yikes!
[…] possible that the food we love the most may be playing havoc with our system. If you crave it, cut it […]