My life has been a little bit tilted over the past 3 months full of unforeseen events that have caused me to feel anxiety. As a primary care giver to my aging parents, there can be many twists and turns that can cause a huge amount of stress.
As I sit and reflect about the stress that life can bring with it, I began wondering about diet. If I was not a plant based eater, would my stress and anxiety be even greater? The truthful answer to this question is YES!
There are so many things we consume that can add to anxiety. Just a few of these are Artificial and refined sugars, Gluten, Processed Foods, Dairy, Soda, Fruit Juice, and anything high in sodium (this would include almost every processed food out there). At some point, I would love to address every one of the items I listed here but for now, I would like to start with Gluten.
Gluten sensitivity and Celiac is somewhat new. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Over time, the immune reaction to eating gluten creates inflammation that damages the small intestine’s lining, leading to medical complications. It also prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption). Some doctors and scientists believe there’s been an increase in gluten-sensitivity due to environmental and food changes, with theories including: … Farmers are using wheat with higher gluten varieties because of their natural insecticide qualities. People are consuming more wheat-based products than previous decades.
Because the side effects of gluten-sensitivity and celiac disease aren’t the same for everyone, both often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. On the other end of the spectrum, some people self-diagnose themselves incorrectly. Please consult a certified MD if you have questions.
According to one study, 86% of individuals who thought they were gluten-sensitive could tolerate gluten. Additionally, around 30% of shoppers choose gluten-free foods, and 41% of U.S. adults think gluten-free foods provide health benefits for everyone, gluten-sensitive or not. If you have celiac disease or are very gluten sensitive, always check food labels to make sure gluten hasn’t been added. Also, don’t reach for those gluten-free cookies, crackers, and pasta just yet. Many gluten-free products are higher in sugar, fat, sodium, and calories to make up for the lack of gluten and improve the flavor and texture (here again are the processed foods).
Keep in mind that if you aren’t gluten-sensitive, a gluten-free diet isn’t necessarily healthier or more effective for losing weight. Before giving up gluten for good, consider speaking with your doctor.
A Whole Food Plant based diet does not mean excluding Gluten in all situations, but it does reduce the amount of processed foods that bring along with it more and greater complications for anxiety and stress.
Hugs & Health, Coach Carrie
Information gathered for this was from Pathway Genomics and Fox News Health
Whole WhEAT Wellness 