Of all the questions people pose, this is the one that I get asked most. People seem to be able to understand eliminating gluten or dairy to test for an allergy or sensitivity but don't necessarily see how or why the two are grouped together.
When I was first introduced to the world of food allergies, I had severe digestive problems that had devolved into serious illnesses including gastritis (a pre-ulcerous condition of the stomach), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome and prolapsed hemorrhoids. My nutritionist, Victoria Wood, CNS, RD, told me that in 98% of the cases of IBS, when both gluten and dairy are eliminated, the problem goes away (along with supplementation to repair the damaged bowel). She said that gluten binds and constipates and dairy tends to cause diarrhea. IBS is marked by the bowel alternating between the two without normal, proper elimination.
My mother was diagnosed with a gluten allergy a decade prior to my foray into the world of food allergies. So, I knew I'd have the support to navigate this new world without gluten, but I was not sure about how to eliminate dairy as well. I was a vegetarian at the time and used cheese and milk as my primary means of acquiring protein. It was a strain to think I would have to do without both foods -- but with all the pain and discomfort I was in, I had to try it.
After only one week without gluten and dairy, my bowels were operating as close to 'normal' as they ever had. They were still in a weakened state and would need repair from supplements like probiotics and acidophilus with bifidus. Most importantly, they would need the toxic allergens completely removed from my system so I could heal.
So the reason for testing both gluten and dairy simultaneously is that they are the top two most common food allergens. Eliminating them may help you if you have digestive difficulties, lethargy, and weight that just won't budge.
Many people even without suspected food allergy or sensitivity cut out both gluten and dairy because they represent two of the "whites" that many diet experts are suggesting we eliminate from our diets. That list of "whites" also includes white rice, and white sugar (which is why my gluten and dairy-free recipes generally include whole grain or unrefined forms of these ingredients in my recipes). Even these people are sometimes surprised to see body issues clear up that they didn't even realize were "problems!" What ever you decide to do, pay attention to your body and how it reacts to the foods you place in it.
For assistance in easily and painlessly eliminating gluten and dairy from your diet, my new cookbook Done With Dairy, Giving Up Gluten: 14 Days to a Delicious and Healthy You offers 14 days of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, a grocery list, grocery tips, and valuable information for going gluten and dairy-free. I've made it simple for you to make this change so you don't have to spend hours and days trying to figure out what to eat.
If you prefer or require private coaching and support, visit www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com for more information on my Premium Services.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you use it unedited and in its entirety, including the following author information: Dairy and Gluten-Free Chef and Lifestyle Coach, Doctor Meg Haworth, Ph.D., created Delicious And Healthy to support those suffering from food allergy or intolerance. Sign up to receive her FREE biweekly newsletter, Delicious And Healthy Living, and FREE Special Reports, Glutton for Gluten and Drowning in Dairy, at www.DeliciousAndHealthy.com. You can also access her online cooking videos and check out her cookbook and allergy elimination guide, Done With Dairy -- Giving up Gluten: 14 Days to a Delicious And Healthy You.
