So way back in high school, this super mean girl would always make fun of me. I had photo fifth period, right after lunch, and my tummy always stuck out. I would get super bloated after eating my peanut butter sandwich. It’s funny because I used to think peanut butter was bad for me, because it was high in fat, so I would barely put any on, just enough for taste. But what is hysterical, is that I was putting it on white Wonder bread, which has to have zero nutritional content. Anyways, back to the mean girl. Little did I know, that behind her snarky comments, she was right; my stomach did stick out.
Growing up I always had tummy aches, dark circles under my eyes, terrible acne and burped like a guy (did I just admit that online?). I even remember this total jerk back my freshman year of college tell me I looked like I had a black eye because the circles under my eyes were so dark. Because of that comment, I wore under eye concealer for years!
Fast forward to almost 10 years later, my husband and I were backpacking through Southeast Asia & Japan. On a diet that was mainly rice based, I ate virtually zero bread. For nearly two months, I didn’t eat what I call “white people” food. On one of the very few occasions that we strayed and ate Western food, the lady at the hostel we were staying at asked me if I was pregnant. I was shocked by her boldness, but she only thought so because I was totally bloated and looked like I was 4 months pregnant. But no, I was just allergic to the flour used in the pizza we ate for dinner.
When we got home from our Asian adventure I didn’t want to admit that I was allergic to one of the best foods ever invented, so I cut back on my intake of white people food, but not entirely. I started to eat lots of Thai & Vietnamese food and continued to feel great.
That next summer we went to South America and traveled through five countries, most of which have a very meat and carb heavy diet. The grocery stores in Argentina practically have a whole isle dedicated to diabetes friendly foods and people come onto the buses selling cures for diabetes. This country loves it’s bread. Consequently, all the weight I lost back in Asia, the high energy levels I discovered and the fresh face I had, was all gone. Instead, I had a very large belly that hung over my pants and I was utterly uncomfortable all the time. I felt like crap and looked it too.
Once we got home, I got off all forms of gluten and haven’t looked back. That was 5 years ago. I am always full of energy, despite only sleeping 5-6 hours a night (hello baby twins), have no dark circles under my eyes, no longer get bloated, don’t burp at all, and I never have to worry about putting on weight. Because of my gluten free diet, and breast feeding twins, I easily lost the 90 pounds I gained during my pregnancy.
And having to give up all forms of diary, including butter, wasn’t that hard either. I myself don’t have a problem with diary, but my sweet boys have sensitive tummies. My doctor told me that they were most likely allergic to my breast milk, but I refused to give my boys formula. Since I have been gluten free for so long now, having to give up another food group I knew wouldn’t be that hard. And you know what, it was not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Well, my husband does all the cooking in the house, so it’s been harder for him, but we have adjusted really easily. 
If you think you are gluten intolerant and my story sounds similar to your tummy problems, I would highly suggest reading this link. I LOVE the Gluten Free Goddess and her site is my go to recipe guide, but she has the best online resource I have found for how to go gluten free. I also really loved the book, Gluten Free Girl, as I finally felt understood. Good luck to you my friends.
