I was recently contacted by Udi’s to do a 14 day Gluten Free challenge. I happily accepted the challenge.
Last Spring, I was introduced to Udi’s when I started an elimination diet with my son (story on that here) We eliminated all wheat from his diet and saw a huge improvement in his symptoms. For months, Udi’s products have been a regular part of our everyday life.
Disclosure: I was sent several free coupons to sample Udi’s products, but not monetarily compensated for this post.
We fell madly in love with their products for many reasons AND the biggest reason is that Udi’s consistently delivers delicious foods that don’t taste “gluten free.” Gluten Free gets a bad rap because their are so many gluten free brands & products on the market that just don’t taste good at all. What I love about Udi’s is every time I try one of their products, my tastebuds are happy. Udi’s gives “gluten free” a good reputation.
For my son, it’s so important to have options that make him feel like a “normal” kid. Some of our favorite Udi’s products are the snicker-doodle cookies, cinnamon rolls, bagels (especially cinnamon raison) and their chocolate muffins
For me, doing a 14 day gluten free challenge should not have been too difficult- only because we have become so familiar with the many gluten free products on the market. We buy Udi’s breads for sandwiches, their bagels for breakfast and when I need a yummy treat their cinnamon rolls or brownies are to die for! My husband couldn’t even tell they were gluten free. When I bake, I use Pamela’s baking flour. When we make pizza- Udi’s crust or Schar. And even with so many gluten free items in my house, I admit I did cheat a few times. So, do I feel better on a gluten free diet? I can not report at this time because I cheated!
Thanksgiving was plop in the middle of my 14 day challenge and I did eat some chocolate chip cookies my dad made today. I may actually try to go gluten free again starting tomorrow to see if it really does help me feel better. I admit, it’s been a rough few weeks over here with everything with our Ellie (our dog) being sick and then going to heaven.
Holidays and eating out always are always a challenge for anyone with celiac’s disease or on a Gluten Free diet. It’s actually the toughest part of being on a gluten free or any allergy elimination diet. Restaurants are starting to add Gluten Free options to their menus, but it’s not the norm in most establishments. Our favorite place to eat out is Jules Thin Crust in Doylestown, Pa. They have amazing gluten free pizzas.
So why would somebody go on a gluten free diet?
1) It’s estimated that 1 is 133 people have celiac’s disease. Only 95% of are diagnosed.
2) There is a whole other subset of individuals who may have tested negative for celiac’s disease, but are gluten intolerant. I’m actually doing food intolerance testing in my office.
3) Wheat is a big allergen for many people. When you buy gluten free products- you are guaranteed they are free of wheat.
What are the symptoms of Celiac’s disease?
Celiac Disease can be so difficult to diagnose. And for some people, it takes 11 years to diagnose. There are a variety of symptoms that often mimic those of other diseases; including IBS, Crohn’s, intestinal infections, lactose intolerance, and even depression. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms (especially if you have several of these symptoms and over time) you may want to ask your doctor for a celiac blood test:
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Joint Pain
- Diarrhea
- Or any additional symptoms listed here
- Risk factors, such as having a family member with Celiac Disease, also warrant a test.
Note: If you go for celiac’s blood work after you are on a gluten free diet, you may get inaccurate results. Keep wheat in your diet before getting tested. If you test negative for Celiac’s you can have additional food intolerance testing and/or start an elimination diet to see if a food is the culprit of your symptoms.
I thought I would have some more “Me” time- Not. The month flew by like 
