Reply #9: There is Wheat, and then there is Gluten

[astral]

you can be allergic to wheat without being allergic to gluten. I believed what I had was a gluten intolerance and went six months avoiding gluten -- oh absolutely not 100% perfectly. It was a major learning experience finding out how widespread gluten is, and the many hidden sources.

Finally I got tested by a doctor. I wanted to make sure I had been eating gluten for awhile before the test and the doctor said it doesn't matter. (Now, this is a very expensive and important test.) I said yes it does, you have to have been eating gluten for the past 30 days for the test to be accurate. Doc went away into another room and emerged awhile later and said, "you're right."

Supposedly I did not have a problem with gluten after having been tested. But I learned so much about it I certainly believe it is not a healthy thing for anyone and avoiding it is something to consider, at least to avoid it to some extent.

I think I'll try to go gluten free again sometime, but to go 100% takes a lot. You have to be on your toes constantly, and for people who get seriously sick from it and have to worry about cross-contamination, it is very hard to not accidentally ingest it sometime no matter what you do.

I know one thing, whether we avoid wheat or gluten or what, trying to eat more close to nature is a good idea for all of us.