Gluten free (your mind)

About 10 months ago I stopped eating gluten.

I wasn't tested for sensitivity, and pretty positive I don't have celiac's, but I did have a pre-diabetic condition that was causing me to gain weight, even on a very healthy diet. My doctor suggested I try going gluten free, and doing so not only stopped the weight gain (I've since lost 25 lbs), but it also lowered my not so great blood test levels by more than half, clearing me of the danger of becoming diabetic.

All good stuff. My clothes fit better, and I got some new ones. My stomach doesn't hurt when I eat anymore...most of the time. And best of all, I sleep.

It took a while, like maybe six or seven months, but I'm no longer suffering the effects of chronic insomnia. The clarity that comes with a good night's sleep is unparalleled. Okay, maybe the clarity that came from that 2-day hunger strike in college was a LITTLE bit better, but you know what I mean. What's amazing, is that I've only had a handful of truly interrupted nights' sleep since February. That is life changing.

That said, I'm not sure I want to stay on the gluten free train. I miss challah. I miss decent pizza. I miss rye bread toast with butter. I miss real pasta. I even missed having a birthday cake.

But, it's not as much about the food. It's more about the idea of control that I'm willing to release.

I've been a vegetarian for 22 years, and the further restriction is somewhat stifling. I feel like I'm a giant pain whenever I go out to eat. I spend much of my time off cooking. I have to ask questions about everything I buy, unless it's a fruit or vegetable.

Cooking is a chore instead of a joy, and it is exhausting. I do like what I make, don't get me wrong. I still know how to rock a meal, all the fun of it has just been sucked out.

I've been thinking a lot about whether or not going gluten free has really made the difference. Is it that I've cut out something that was making me sick? Or did I cut out so many calories that I magically changed not only what I'm eating, but the amount of what I'm eating? I believe that there is a middle ground somewhere.

I have given myself a goal of a year to try this way of eating. It certainly hasn't done me any harm, so I can't imagine that harm would come from continuing.

Looking forward to seeing the results in another few months!