Let's start this off by saying one thing: Whatever your reason for being gluten-free, you are welcome here. Mine is not to judge. Mine is to help, through blog & cookbook (have a copy? what are you waiting for?). And if anyone in your life doesn't support your gluten-free-ness, that's their agenda at work. Not yours.
Except, maybe I might judge #10 just a wee little bit.
1. You have celiac disease.
2. Your loved one is gluten-free. Solidarity!
3. You have or your child has an autism spectrum disorder.
4. You just feel better since you cut out gluten.
5. No one should eat gluten. Cavemen didn't eat it!
6. You went to a naturopath who told you, cut out the gluten and your health problems would go away.
7. You have another auto-immune disease, like Crohn's Disease, that responds well to a diet free of gluten (among other things).
8. You're allergic to wheat.
9. You have had fertility problems.
10. Because Gwyneth Paltrow is gluten-free.
Why are you gluten-free?
Love,
Me
P.S. Whatever your reason, My Cookbook would be a big help. Pick up a copy!
Kim says
Hey there! I’m so glad I found you!
Why am I gluten free? Well, that’s a long story but to make it short, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia after many, many tests and other things being ruled out.
Then a year later was told I had Celiac Disease. I will be going back to the doctor now that I’ve moved 7 hours away from where I grew up because I’m not so sure that is the correct diagnosis…although I think a gluten intolerance would be better describing it.
As for Gwyneth is concerned…well…I have no words…lol!
But thanks for your website!
Nicole says
Glad you found me, too, Kim. I hope you get to the bottom of your health concerns!
xoxo Nicole
Chris says
Wow, Nancy…..maybe you need to find a new doctor!?!
I’m here to admit I was stupid a few weeks ago…went back to “a little” gluten at breakfast each day for about a week. I have permanently learned my lesson now. My mood swings started to bother ME, I didn’t even ask what it was doing to my family. I couldn’t stand myself! I also noticed an acne flair like I haven’t experienced in years. I hadn’t made that connection before now; and then, here in the comments, I see others with this issue, too! It can be a strange type of comfort to read all these comments and I find myself doing that more and more and more. I can only imagine how you (Nicole) must feel to read them! Your wonderful recipes are only “the tip of the iceberg” of all the GOOD you provide your readers. I think you just can’t ever give this up!!! You do more for “us” than you will ever ever know!!!!! THANK YOU
Nicole says
Hey, thanks, Chris. That kinda made me blush, even. I hope I am able to help, if even a wee little bit. It’s my pleasure, truly. I agree that reading comments on posts like this is some sort of comfort, but I’m not entirely sure what. Maybe it just helps soothe the existential angst we all have when we think maybe we’re alone and then find out we’re really not.
xoxo Nicole
Nancy says
#5, #9 and possibly #7…I was diagnosed with hypothyroid in 1989 and my doctoe steadfastly refuses to test me for Hashimoto’s. I have also had numerous stomach and intestinal issues for many years, and went through menopause at the age of 30 (I’m 47). My doctor said it’s probably IBS, but now I know it’s likely a gluten issue, as I also have several celiac symptoms. Again, my doc won’t test me. I’m thinking that going GF is making more and more sense.
Kelly says
My daughter has Celiac and my son has latent celiac. We decided the whole family would go GF after they were diagnosed and lo, and behold, my son’s long, drawn out, super dramatic tantrums all but disappeared! We had been planning on letting him eat gluten when at school, etc. but it’s just not worth it!
I love your blog, recipes and emails, Nicole. Keep them coming! :)
Jenn says
#2 – My husband is gluten free because he is very gluten intolerant. So we cook gluten free in our home (and I try to bake sometimes too)!
Shelly says
I went gluten-free 7 months ago to try to help alleviate some of my chronic disease otherwise known as IC. I am so glad I found your site surfing the net today, because I have a frugal blog as well as my chronic illness blog.
I love saving money, and going gluten-free has helped me to feel SO much better!
Stephanie says
#4 and #6 Went to a Chiro in my teens who recommended my family try it (my mom is also gluten free). Tried it but HATED the gluten free cardboard back then. Plus I lived on spaghetti and toast. But when I went to college, I came to the realization that I actually felt better with the gluten free diet. For almost six years, I have been fully gluten free. One of my biggest challenges has been educating friends and family. Once my mother in law fixed a great enchilada dinner, complete with corn tortillas for me. It was only later that she remembered she had thickened the sauce with flour! Since then, she has learned about label reading and how to substitute in her recipes. With the support of my family and friends and more delicious options, I can enjoy life without my tummy hurting :) Thank you Nicole for your great blog and recipes!
Gail says
My family hid the fact that it was in the family, I went through a series of medical problems and I was tested. I have been gluten free for over a year and no meds anymore, and I feel great.
Trish @ MyBigFatBundt says
Thanks for sharing this with us. I am gluten-free because I simply feel better. Less headaches, and helps a bit with the thyroid auto-immune stuff I pretend not to have. :-)
I also wanted to let you know I name-dropped you and your cookbook…AND your fabulous coffee cake. Would have posted there , but it’s an old post and comments are now closed.
http://mybigfatbundt.blogspot.com/2012/07/better-batter-g-free-baking-mix.html
I don’t comment often (I read a TON of blogs every day!)…but your blog is one of my favorite G-free baking blogs for sure. I don’t use Better Batter very often, but my own mix has worked wonderfully in several of your recipes, which are super creative. Who else blogs about making popular cereals from scratch??
Hugs,
Trish xx
Niki says
Numbers 1, 2, 4 & 5 for me. I’m sorry for anyone who falls into the number 10 group bc I’m afraid I would have to be all kinds of judge-y! ;-) I get very frustrated by the fad dieters; in some ways it’s better (more options in the store) but in other ways it’s worse (less care taken by wait staff and/or cooks or chefs in restaurants). It’s a double edged sword!
Dana says
#2, because my four year old daughter has celiac. This blog and your book have been a huge gift for our whole family! A few examples: My husband who “doesn’t eat granola” is devouring your maple almond granola like a madman (I understand why you hoard it!), and my daughter wanted vanilla chocolate chip cupcakes so we made your delish blondie cupcakes (from the cookbook) this morning when a rainstorm ruined our playground plans. Who knows what treat tomorrow will bring. Thanks Nicole!
Pam G says
LOML Scott…and I feel better since I’ve done the same.
Jeni says
I went GF because I felt like I was digesting knives at one point of my life. One Chiro said to try going GF, it may also help you lose weight. (That’s always incentive to try!) My endometriosis pains went away within a month of going GF! And I was at level 20 (on a scale of 1-10) before I went off gluten. I”ll never go back to wheat again! :D
Love the website and drooling over the recipes. ;-)
Reg says
I have had horrible sinus and skin allergies for years and went on GF diet to help that. Ironically 6 weeks later my daughters biopsy confirmed celiac after we had her tested for tummy aches and extreme hunger (I thought it was dairy). Turns out my husband who thought he just had IBS and my mother in law have it too. Since going GF, I haven’t had to use asthma medicine in 18 months and my daughters tummy aches are far less frequent! For life…not for fad.
Addy says
I had tummy problems for years, and I noticed one day after eating GF at a friends house that I felt slightly better. After a terrible day when I had a whole wheat pancake for breakfast, I decided to go GF. While I have many symptoms that match Celiacs, I never got tested so I have no idea if it is Celiacs or a gluten intolerance. I had already cut out the gluten when I found out you have to keep eating it for the blood test to be somewhat accurate (I read somewhere that there are false negatives all the time). Plus I already went through the trouble of being diagnosed for one hard to diagnose disorder, I didn’t want to go through that again.
Plus it helps my fibromyalgia, my pain is less, and I have more energy. If I get even a small amount of gluten from cross contamination, my fatigue and tummy symptoms all come back with a vengance. Its changed my life for the better :)
mish says
My older son has celiac disease and I am gluten intolerant. We shall see about my younger son. My husband is sure hoping for someone to eat gluten with :)
Karen says
#6 sort of. My family doctor combines alternative medicine with traditional medicine. I had digestive issues and she recommended a food intolerance test. There were quite a few foods that showed on the results but my bad boys are gluten, dairy and eggs. In addition to fixing the digestive issues (that all of the antacids in the world could not make a dent), I also have less joint pain.
Patti says
By the way Nicole, really cute kid!!
Kim says
I have several reasons. I have had skin/allergy problems my entire life. My sister-in-law had a bad bout of some unidentified autoimmune illness 2 years ago. She looked at my arms (which were covered in sores from scratching) and said I should try going gluten free. It freaked me out. I took the plunge when my son was just over a month old. He had baby acne really bad. The day I went off gluten, it disappeared (I was exclusively nursing). That sold me.
I have been completely gluten free for almost 2 years (minus some accidents). I sleep better. My allergies are better. My skin is better. I am not as sick. I would get 3 to 4 serious sinus infections a year. Since going of gluten, I have had 1. Best decision I have ever made.
Kristi says
Great topic! I am a 2, 4, 7 and 9. Number 10 made me laugh! However, number 2 is what sent me GF. My daughter is classified as Non Celiac Gluten Intolerant (NCGI). She reacts terribly if she ingests it. We went GF as of January after 12 years of trying to figure out what was making her so ill. I have to say that the first three months of GF were a blur. My baking is coming together because of this site and your book. Actually it is all falling in place now.
CUTE KID!
Shiloh says
#8. :D
carol says
I have crohns disease and was gaining too much weight. (I aman outlier i guess.) Thisvis my first step to going on a low carb/low glycemic index diet. My GI says it cant hurt. I feel somewhat better after two weeks.