After numerous years of trial and error with my son's digestive system, we've finally discovered that he is in fact gluten intolerant.
It was really hard at first to convince a 10 year old child that he cannot eat his favorite bread and peanut butter anymore, in fact most cereals are out too. The only way I noticed that made an impact was by letting him eat a little once in a while and getting him to realize on his own that gluten gives him a mean belly ache. Little by little after every gluten meal, I would hear “ohhhh I'm not eating pizza again” or “oh no more hamburgers”. Of course everyday I would try a new recipe that would bring him the same joy as eating his old favorites. At first rice pasta was seen as disgusting, but then when I served it for everyone and didn't tell him, well we all started liking it! I also keep a batch of gluten free crepe batter handy for a fast substitute to bread. Ham and broccoli or spinach and cheese toppings rolled up in a crepe, is not only fast but also more nutritious than the average sandwich.
A few interesting points I've learned about gluten in the system and this can be true whether you are intolerant or not.
- Excessive gluten (keep in mind in our Western Culture it is used in a whole lot of food) can lead to fatigue
- Constant fatigue can lead to laziness.
- Laziness can lead to inactivity.
- Inactivity can lead to depression.
What an awful vicious cycle! And I must say I noticed it within my son's attitude.
We are now well on our way to a gluten free diet, and well hey! It's not so bad after all...
sources
http://glutenfreeworks.com/gluten-disorders/gluten-sensitivity/
http://www.naturalnews.com/031660_gluten-free_diet_health.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten
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