Recently my whole life changed again. My life revolves around eating carefully due to Celiac disease as well as watching the foods that bother my thyroid, gallbladder and my coumadin. Recently added was a very long list of foods that were bothering me along with the candida diet again. So my food choices are scarce and silly me I hate meat which makes this even harder. So I was excited to hear from Rusty and the topic of his blog. Please make sure you read through it and take some time to visit his site for lots more good stuff. I found this very helpful and I know you will too. Thank you Rusty for doing this article.
The Five Biggest Challenges to Eliminating Gluten, Grains and Sugar
Over the last several years, there has been a lot of attention drawn to the harmful effects of gluten on our health. Recently, all grains and sugar have been added to that list. Foods that were once accepted as “healthy” or “not that bad for you” are being attacked by our growing obesity, cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes epidemics. Many of these foods have become a staple in our diet which aid in the ease and convenience factor of our overly stressed, little-time-for-food-planning, lifestyle. Unfortunately, these foods are well ingrained (no pun intended) into our busy lives and therefore, can be difficult to eliminate. But, rest assured, there is a way to leave the gluten, grains and sugar behind and still enjoy the foods you love.
Remember, when you eliminate all grains from your diet, you’re removing all of the gluten and some of the carbohydrates. But, when you add sugar to that elimination list, you are ridding yourself of what is responsible for many of the diseases and ailments that plague our country. Here are the five biggest challenges most people face when they choose to pass on the foods that wreak havoc on their health.
1. Overcoming Carb Addiction. Let’s face it, carbohydrates are addicting and grains and sugar ARE carbohydrates. Multiple studies indicate that processed carbohydrates reward the pleasure center in the brain. This reward strongly encourages overeating. I think you get the point.
2. Stress. One of the first things people do when they are stressed out is reach for a plate of pasta, cup of macaroni-and-cheese or bowl of ice cream. Once you have eliminated grains and sugar from your diet, you no longer will seek food as a stress reliever. This will open the door to healthier options to dealing with your stress, such as exercise and relaxation techniques.
3. Speed / Convenience. In our fast-paced, over-booked world, we often find ourselves choosing the fastest and easiest route to eating a meal. Unfortunately, this usually comes in the form of shakes, french fries and buns; not to mention grain-fed meat and conventionally grown vegetables, but that’s for another blog. Making the time and planning ahead is essential to success when eliminating these foods from your diet.
4. Lack of Information. The most challenging aspect of the no-grain, no-sugar lifestyle is the paradigm shift that must occur in order to “buy” into the system. For most people, it is difficult to accept that the information on diet and nutrition over the last fifty years is seriously flawed. However, once you come to the understanding of how sugar effects body fat storage and disease along with wheat/gluten and all grains on gut health, auto-immune disease and type 2 diabetes and dementia, it becomes much easier to make the leap in paradigms. (I have written about this on my blog at Rusty’s Blog).
5. Focusing on the Diet’s Sacrifices Instead of its Benefits. Whether it is an excuse or a legitimate concern, the response I commonly hear from people prior to eliminating gluten, grains and sugar is, “There is no way I could do without my bread and ice cream.” Most people choose to focus on the sacrifices of their efforts rather than the health benefits that will come their way once they make the change. Developing a greater understanding of the harmful effects of gluten, grains and sugar is essential to changing your focus and staying on track with your new, healthy diet.
About the Author
Rusty Gregory, MS, CSCS, CWC, is a personal fitness trainer, wellness coach, and a dailyRx Contributing Expert. He received his master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Michigan and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Certified Wellness Coach. Rusty is the author of Living Wheat-Free for Dummies and Self-Care Reform: How to Discover Your Own Path to Good Health. To learn more, visit www.RustyGregory.com.
