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Gluten Free, Celiac & Healthy Eating Ideas

I wanted to do a little check in about my progress with getting fit! I've really ramped up my healthy eating this week. I cut out diet coke two weeks ago and gluten on Sunday... I am really feeling good.

love my big boy
Let me start with saying that I do not think that being Gluten Free is a "weight loss diet". There are tons of Gluten Free items that have MORE calories and sugar than regular stuff. My mom says it is because they have to add extra fat to make up for the missing flour taste. I have medical reasons for being Gluten Free. My mom and my grandma both have Celiac Disease. I'm in the process of being tested again. They (whoever "they" is) say that if you have first degree relatives with Celiac your chance of having it is like 22% and higher if your second degree relatives have it too. You're also supposed to be tested every two years if you have a family prevalence of it and have symptoms. I've been having some weird neuropathy (tingling and loss of feeling) in the back of my head, hands and feet which led me to get tested again. Some people have the tummy upset with Celiac (my grandma does) and others have neurological issues (my mom). I am one of the lucky ones who apparently has both. I am 99% convinced that I have Celiac or Gluten intolerance because when I stop eating it I feel a million times better and my symptoms go away. I had blood work done a few weeks ago and it came back negative. The blood work isn't 100% reliable. My mom has never had hers come back positive. The next step is a biopsy. I decided to do an elimination diet for a few months and see how I feel, and then I will potentially go back on gluten to have a biopsy again... not exactly wanting to meet my deductible in January... ha!

So... with that being said, I am eating Gluten Free by basically just cutting out most carbs. I am not buying (at this point) the Gluten Free alternatives to the unhealthy crap that I am trying to get rid of anyways. I'd love to hear from any of you that are Gluten Free, I'm hoping to be able to share some yummy and alternative recipes... After just 5 days, I feel tons more energy, my knee hurts less and my tummy feels better. I don't know, we will see how the next few weeks go.

I also need to be honest and tell you that I did have a diet coke yesterday. My dad's special thing that he does is bring me a diet coke from McDonalds. I have been off of it for two weeks and while it did taste super yummy, it wasn't like I felt like I needed to have it all the time. My goal was to get it out of my daily routine and be alright with just having one occasionally. Everything in moderation.

I've been doing Insanity all week. I am actually taking today off though because my knee can only handle about four days in a row and then I need to rest it... usually I would go on a walk with the boys or do something else, but seeing as it is like negative degrees outside, that will not be happening. Rest days are good.



What have I been eating?? GOOD QUESTION!

For breakfast I have been having a combination of a banana (usually before I work out) and then a protein bar and yogurt or a smoothie. I am not a breakfast eater. I am never hungry in the morning and I have to force myself to eat. I do it because I know that it is good for me. The morning is usually our crazy time so I try to eat something easy.

I love this light and fit Yoplait greek yogurt, this one has the added protien. Also love me some Luna Bars.

Can't forget Spark after my workout!
For lunch I have been eating Weight Watchers 0 point vegetable soup along with crackers, or with some grilled tilapia and quinoa. I am trying to keep each meal around 300-350 cal and to eat every 4 hours.

I am not a vegetable soup lover. I like creamy soups full of meat... but I really do like the flavor of this soup. It is a good way for me to get my veggies all in without eating a salad (not a salad fan). And who doesn't love a good cup of hot soup in the winter?? I want to share the recipe, obviously the original recipe is from Weight Watchers, but I have adapted it a bit to my own taste, hope you enjoy!

Weight Watchers 0 Point Soup (adapted from here)
3 cups of broth (I use chicken)
2 cloves of garlic, I use my grater and grate it in the pot
1 TBSP tomato paste
2 large cabbage leaves, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 large carrots chopped
1/2 can green beans
1/2 zucchini, chopped
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
S&P to taste

Spray pot with non-stick spray, saute' onions, garlic and carrots until tender (5-7 min)
Add everything else, bring broth to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 min. If the soup is too thick add more broth or water to desired thickness.

This makes enough for me to eat 1 cup for lunch for 4-5 days.

Grilled Tilapia
I buy the bag of individually wrapped tilapia filets in the freezer section. I take one out mid morning and stick it (still wrapped) in the sink to thaw.
-Spray pan with non-stick spray and heat on Medium heat.
-Put thawed tilapia in pan, spray side of tilipa with spray (I use olive oil or canola oil) and season. I've been using Cavendars or Tony Chacheries
-Grill 2-3 min, flip, season other side
-Tilapia is done when is flakes easily with a fork.

Then I just pair that with some rice or quinoa. I am really loving the Uncle Ben's brand that you just stick in the microwave and heat up.

And what about dinner??

hmm...I made stir-fry one night.

Loving the bright colors here

And last night Bryan was at church for a men's retreat so I made Spaghetti Squash. He isn't a fan of Spaghetti squash so I usually only make it for myself when he is gone.

I think tonight I will make Chicken and Steak Fajitas (I'll only eat the meat) and guacamole. Maybe I'll share that recipe soon!

So that is my update. I honestly have not been on the scale because I don't want it to be about the numbers. I want this to be about being healthy and fit! I'm going to have Bryan take my "before" pics still... probably need to get on that... so I will have those to compare after about a month.

Have you been getting fit lately too? Have any tips or recipes?? I'd love to hear them!

And don't forget about my giveaway ending tonight!

details here

Comments

  1. Hi there, If I am not mistake you have changed your blog design, really nice :)

    Great post. I have celiac in my family and had a false negative for celiac and have been gluten free for just over a year now and have never felt better. I had a lot of stomach issues and deficiencies. Love to see what you come up with for meals. Also in the future I am hoping to add some more gluten free meal posts.

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    1. Hey Sky-Ann, I did change my layout! Thanks!! Glad to hear you are feeling good being GF and I'll have to head over to your blog to check out your GF posts!

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  2. first off i do the exact same thing with spaghetti squash for the same reason. Also i read in prevention magazine something to the jist of there are people who may not have any type of actual gluten intolerance persay but that there are limits to how much gluten one can have and feel good, and it can be different for everyone, so even if you test out negative that could be the case for you! I don't limit gluten at all, but when I was in thailand I went about a week without having gluten, bc I was having eggs and fruit for breakfast and curry and rice for every other meal and I have to say i felt great.

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    1. Ohh interesting!!! It is so crazy how after just a few days you can already start to feel better! I'll have to look and see if I can find that article. <3

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  3. My daughter is gluten intolerant. I have been learning to cook gluten free for the past several months. Soy sauce is FULL of gluten!! And chicken broth has it too! I didn't even think about that kind of stuff. Beware! Its hiding everywhere!! :)

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    1. I do know about Soy Sauce, it is the WORST. I have to buy myself a separate kind. I hadn't ever thought to look at chicken broth, thanks for the heads up!! I am learning as I go but trying my best to read read read the labels!!!

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    2. Its a big change, but so do-able! I have seen so many changes in my daughter since she has been gluten free. Behavioral, GI, headaches and leg pain, and even some skin issues!! Stick with it :)

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  4. Suzanne is right. Soy sauce is not gluten free and gluten hides in places you won't believe. Look for "modified food starch" on the ingredient list. If it's there , it contains gluten. Beware of those seasoning packets like you show in your photo. They usually contain modified food starch. The chicken broth I use is Swanson because it's GF. You're off to a good start though, it's a learning process so just be patient. I really want to try your veggie soup recipe!

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    1. Soy sauce is one of those tricky ones, my local store carries one brand that is GF that I use for my stuff, but it is more expensive!! I try my best to read labels, I had no idea about chicken broth though. I also use swanson so I am hoping that means mine is ok! I need to go get it out and look!! You should totally make the veggie soup, it is so so so good!! :)

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