I am not an expert the effects sugar and gluten have on our bodies. I’ve read through pages and pages of research, some that sound reasonable and some that sounds so incredibly extreme. In the end, I only have my experience to share with others.
Today I choose to live sugar and gluten free due to a life-long battle with my weight. I was a chronic dieter – I’d tried nearly every diet available. I would lose the weight and gain it again. At my heaviest, and only 5’5″ I weighed in at over 180 pounds. I stopped getting on the scale after that.
Almost 6 years ago I discovered that my body reacts differently to flour and sugar. I call it an allergy. Webster’s defines “allergy” as an “altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure.” My body most definitely has an altered response. When I eat flour or sugar, my body starts to crave more and more. In fact, no amount of flour and sugar was ever enough. This is why I failed at every diet I’ve ever tried. I couldn’t eat flour or sugar without having the cravings and the cravings always resulted in too much food. So the only option was to let go of the flour and sugar and find another way to eat.
It took a lot of prayer, patience, and determination to live a better life. Some days it still does. People always ask how I “live like this” as if it’s a step down. The honest truth is that it’s a step up. For me, there is no bigger prison than living in a body I hated and not being able to get out.
My weight has been constant for over 5 years, about 110 pounds. Food no longer rules my life. I have a freedom that brings more joy and peace to me because I am healthy and happy with who I am and how I show up in the world today.
Incorporating healthy foods into everything I make is important to me. If I make a cake, I try to I include a Superfood that has great health benefits and eliminate as much fat as I can while not sacrificing quality. Instead of white potatoes I use sweet potatoes, brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice. I’m not a big bread person simply because there are so many other good foods I’d rather eat. I love fruits, veggies, nuts, and good olive oil. I substitute yogurt or cottage cheese for mayonnaise, or part of it, where I can. Meats are a staple for me but I don’t care for heavy breading and sauces. It’s all a choice.
I know that there are other people like me out there. I want them to know that there’s a better way to live.
It’s completely possible and within your grasp. Anyone can do it if I did.
Erin
posted on June 24, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Thanks for sharing your story and your blog with me. It is both informative and encouraging, particularly at this point in my life. I'm looking forward to reading more posts and learning from you!
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Amy Green
posted on June 24, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Hey Erin! Glad you stopped by.
This is a personal journey for each person…it all depends on what works for you. I am sure that you will find your answers if you keep searching. Let me know if I can help.
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LucindaSarina
posted on July 1, 2009 at 1:52 am
I feel like you're describing me! I've recently cut out gluten, and I would like to cut out sugar eventually too because I know it triggers me to overeat. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your blog and seeing some of your sugar free recipes. I noticed you use agave in some of them. I haven't tried that yet. Do you feel like your body has a different response to that than sugar?
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Amy Green
posted on July 1, 2009 at 5:44 am
Hi Lucinda! Honestly I was scared of agave for quite a while because I know what sugar does to me. My body absolutely does react differently to agave – I don't get the food cravings at all. I refuse to touch honey & molassas, though. Those are too close to sugar. I've recently started reducing the amount of agave in foods and trying some stevia, though, to keep calories down. I don't count calories (it would make me crazy) but I'm mindful of what I put in my mouth.
Thanks for stopping by!
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