If you've ever wondered if the entire "gluten free movement" was just a media event, you need to read the post below. Katie is the mother of 6 children (wow!) and two of her sons have problems with gluten. I underlined and bolded the amazing sentence below so if you or any family members have problems, you might want to consider this culprit.
2 years ago I discovered that 2 of my sons had severe gluten intolerance. There are many different symptoms that can lead you to the diagnosis of Gluten Intolerance. My son Ryan had severe reflux as well as neurological problems and my son Colin had diarrhea that I could not clear up. They were both showing signs of learning problems. Once I educated myself on Gluten Intolerance within 3 days the reflux and diarrhea stopped and they came alive. Ryan would talk to others and engage in playtime with kids. It was truly amazing to see. I would never have believed Gluten could make such a difference in a child if I would not have watched my sons get better almost immediately. As long as Ryan and Colin do not come in contact with wheat (AKA gluten) they are perfectly healthy boys. If they do come into contact with gluten they immediately become sick and have ongoing symptoms sometimes as long as a week, so it is very important that we keep them away from gluten at all times.
I have 6 children and three out of the six children are following a gluten-free diet. As you know these diets can be quite expensive. Following a gluten free diet has become easier in the past year as people are becoming more aware of what gluten is and there are more and more adults and children abstaining from it. This enables manufacturers to make the necessary changes to label their packaging appropriately. Manufacturers are also producing products that are good alternatives to the wheat products. Unfortunately they are extremely expensive, sometimes up to 3 times more expensive then the product containing wheat.
I feel it is important to share with others some tips to saving money while living a gluten free lifestyle. Here are 5 ways you can save money while eating gluten free …
1/ Eat like your grandparents or great grandparents would eat. Focus your diet on whole foods, including meat, vegetables and fruit. This means to focus the majority of your diet on single ingredient foods.
2/ If you must have processed food, make it yourself. Most grocery stores now carry gluten free flours. These flours are costly but much cheaper then buying the gluten free cookies and crackers off the shelf. Make your own food and plan ahead if will be worth both for your pocketbook and your health.
3/ Instead of grabbing that bag of gluten free cheese crackers grab for nuts. Peanuts are an excellent source of protein and are way cheaper then anything packaged as gluten free.
4/ Invest in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) most of them will deliver to your house or close to your house. They provide an excellent array of in season fruits and vegetables. In most cases these farms are organic so it is a double bonus. Having a fridge full of fresh fruits and veggies make it easier to stay on track with grocery lists. These programs often save you almost 30% on your fresh produce. (search CSA and your state to find local farms)
5/ Buy packaged products in bulk. If there is a product you love and can not live without it some grocery stores will give you a discount if you buy a certain amount. You can also contact the company directly, some will actually sell you a bulk amount cheaper than you can buy in the store. Something to think about if you know it is a product you will continue to eat. Every penny counts so wait until you are low and buy in bulk to save some extra pennies.
Most people who find out they are Gluten Intolerant have many other health problems that are finally cured once the diet is in place. If that is the case for you, you will find that you will be going to the doctor less and you are generally healthier. This too will save money down the line because you will no longer be shelling out those big co-pays. I hope these 5 tips help you make going gluten free easier. If you are experiencing chronic health problems it is something to think about.
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