Three Week Roll! (Weekly Summary)

I am on a three week roll now with losing weight, so I am very pleased. I am 3.5 pounds into my 20 pound weight loss. My start was slower than I wanted, but I hope to keep on moving down the scale.

I was especially pleased with my weight loss this week, because I was traveling for work and attended several lunches and dinners with coworkers. I managed to stick to my calorie plan and still get in plenty of fruits and some veggies. I also worked out in the hotel gym two of the four days I was travelling. I did not keep an extensive list this week of foods consumed, so no reports for you there.

Breast Cancer Risk Increased by Drinking and Food Containers

I heard an interesting news story on my way to a museum exhibit with the hubby today. The news story discussed the growing body of research linking estrogen mimicking plastics and chemicals to increased risks of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Link to Estrogens in the Environment

The article above also includes some simple steps to lower breast cancer risks: not drinking from certain types of plastic containers, avoiding makeup and cleaners with certain ingredients, etc.

June 15-21 Weekly Diet Summary

This week was successful! I lost another pound and was very close to my total calorie goal for the week. I am pretty pleased with the food consumed (other than it being a little higher calorie at the beginning of the week than I wanted). I changed my breakfasts this week, and stayed away from oats. I mainly ate Rice and Shine in the mornings.



Monday's Summary:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Rice & Shine made with water, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar
2% Yogurt
Indian Lentils
1.25 cups jicama
Salad (radish, fennel, apple, carrots all finely sliced; dressed with tahini and sesame seeds)
Chips
Walked 2 miles (instead of 6 due to a storm)

Tuesday's Summary:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Rice & Shine made with water, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar
Salad (radish, fennel, apple, carrots all finely sliced; dressed with tahini and sesame seeds)
1 frozen banana pop (1 ripe banana, on a skewer, wrapped in plastic wrap, frozen)
2% Yogurt
Chips
Turkey bacon
Orange
Walked 6 miles

Wednesday's Summary:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Rice & Shine made with water, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar
2% Yogurt & 1.5 cups of cucumber with salt and pepper
1 frozen banana pop (1 ripe banana, on a skewer, wrapped in plastic wrap, frozen)
Gluten-free pasta with shrimp & sauce
Appetizers
Walked 6 miles and did yoga

Thursday's Summary:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Rice & Shine made with water, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar
Salad with chickpeas, salad olives, blue cheese dressing, cucumber
1 banana
2% Yogurt and Cereal
Chips
Chicken breast
Vegetables cooked in chicken breast juices
White wine
Walked 6 miles

Friday's Summary:
2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Rice & Shine made with water, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar
0% Greek yogurt with 1/2 banana
1 medium peeled apple
Large Greek salad with gyro meat
Walked 2 miles, Ran 4 miles

Saturday's Summary:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
2% Yogurt
Cereal
Banana
Salad with left over chicken breast, blue cheese, radishes, olives
English muffin with tahini
Crystal Light Cherry Limeade Slurpee
pickle
2 glasses white wine
Walked 6 miles and did strength training

I am only 2.5 lbs into my 20 pound weight loss, but am feeling hopeful that my weight loss will continue. I am traveling four days this week for work, but will try to keep to my weight loss plan.

Big Breakfasts Can Aid Longer-Term Weight Loss

A study that indicates that eating big breakfasts can aid weight loss is all over the news today. Here is one of many links that can be found to the story:

'Big Breakfast' Diet Helps Shed Pounds

Good News! (Weekly Summary)

I am finally down a little bit of weight - 1.5 pounds lost! Both weigh-ins yesterday and today were the same weight. I am looking to keep on going with my weight loss. I feel like I finally have a rhythm, helped by improved grocery shopping, but I am wary of making any predictions with the little plateau I hit over the weeks before this most recent one.

I ended up only a bit over my calorie target for last week and was able to successfully fit in a great anniversary dinner at a restaurant friendly to people with food intolerances and allergies, Cafe Atlantico (http://www.cafeatlantico.com/). For brunch yesterday, my honey also made gluten free pancakes with Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pancake Mix with allergen free chocolate chips from Enjoy Life mixed into the batter. The chocolate chips and pancake mix are two of the very few types of these items that I can find that are gluten, soy, and corn-free.

Today, I went a bit overboard with useless carbs, having left over pancakes for breakfast and then gluten-free pizza with fresh basil and mozarella with tomato sauce. I also had a few chips today, too! I will have to drop my calorie totals for a few days to even out of my calories over the week to make up for today's carb bonanza. I will also need to eat a lot of veggies tomorrow to make up for the lack of veggies today.

Today's Food and Beverages Ingested:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Gluten free pancakes from Trader Joe's mix with chocolate chips from Enjoy Life. A little bit of pure maple syrup on top
1/3 peeled apple
cherries
1 serving of chips with salsa
Gluten-free pizza
1/2 orange
2.5 liters of water
Crystal Light Cherry Limeade Slurpee

Exercise: I walked 6 miles today. Yesterday, I also walked 6 miles and did yoga for 30 minutes.

I am planning on switching to doing calorie/food summaries once a week or twice a week. I may, however, continue to post interesting food adventure and health news throughout the week.

Indian lentils. Mmm. (Daily Summary June 13)

I am a big fan of lentils. I particularly like them when they come prepared in ready to eat, Indian spiced in lunch-sized packages. They are high in fiber and yummy. Today,I was able to keep to my planned calories and save up a few for tomorrow's planned dinner out. I also got in my 6 miles of walking, and may do a bit of stretching or yoga before I get myself tucked in for the night.

Food and Beverages Ingested:

2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Rice & Shine made with water, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar
Indian jodphur lentils
17 cherries
0% fat Greek Fage yogurt with 1/2 banana
1 large peeled apple
Salad (baby spinach, 1/2 can albacore tuna in water, 1 cup English cucumber, 2 tbl spoons salad olives, blue cheese dressing)
1 can Hanson's Calorie Free Ginger Ale with a dash of lime juice
1.5 liters of water

Props to my mother for getting in a bit of a walk today!

Slipped Peanut Butter in Again Today (Daily Summary June 12)

Why, oh why, do I keep eating peanut butter? Or roasted peanuts? Perhaps, even though I know that they make me feel gross, they taste so good? Take today's slipping in of peanut butter to have with my banana: 10 minutes later I am feeling queasy, within 30 minutes I need a nap and have a bit of a stomach ache, and now, hours later, my stomach is even more queasy on the verge of a coup d'etat, I have a bit of a headache, and I feel sluggish. Each time this happens, I tell myself I won't have peanut butter again, but something about its wonderful taste draws me back. I must stop!

It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that it bothers me. People with soy allergies can have problems with peanuts due to similar protein properties, but, alas, I still have to dip my spoon into the yummy bucket o' golden brown allergen periodically.

On another note, I have greatly enjoyed the nice change in the weather. It was easy to walk six miles outside today. Not too hot. I am doing strength training this evening.

Food & Beverages Ingested:
Breakfast:
2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Enjoy Life Cinnamon Crunch Cereal with almond milk

Early Lunch:
2% Greek yogurt with 1 banana

Late Lunch:
Salad (1/2 can white albacore tuna in water, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing)

Evening Snacks:
Banana with 1.5 tbl spoons of peanut butter
Cherries
Pickle
Crystal Light Cherry Limeade Slurpee

Water - 4 cups so far, not including the limeade.

I am trying to save up a few calories today and tomorrow for my anniversary brunch and dinner plans on Saturday. :)

The joy of frequent grocery shopping! (Daily summary - June 11)

I love frequent grocery shopping. It is a nice thing I like to treat myself to when I am not on a tough work travel schedule. I had some interesting veggies and fruits in my diet today, and they made the food across the day quite satisfying. It is easier to stay within my calories when I have different low calorie options to try.

Jicama with Paprika and Lime Juice

Daily Food Summary
Breakfast:
2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Enjoy Life Cinnamon Crunch Cereal with almond milk

Morning Snack:
2% Greek yogurt with 1 banana

Late Lunch:
Salad (baby spinach, 2 slices nitrate free turkey bacon, 1 cup English cucumber, blue cheese dressing)

Snack:
Jicama with lime juice and paprika

Dinner:
Parmesan crusted eggplant with goat cheese and red and yellow bell peppers
Cherries
1/2 spoon peanut butter
1 can Hanson's Calorie Free Peach Soda

Water: 1.5+ liters

Exercise: Walked 2 miles, ran 4 miles. 1 day overdue for some yoga/strength... caused by an unexpected work call that lasted from 6-8pm. Today, was a wonderful weather day. It was much cooler, so it was a good day to pick up the pace a bit and throw running back into my exercise mix.

Dedication: Today's daily summary is dedicated to someone whose birthday is today. She is an inspiration in her intellect, sweetness, and pursuit of continual self improvement. She inspires me to do well each day, with her own ability to try new recipes and fitness activities to live a healthy life and in her academic pursuits.

Yogurt and Beet Salad - Daily Summary June 10

Today, in desperation to figure out what to do with my remaining diced beets, I ended up making a yogurt and beet "salad." I roasted the remaining beet dices in the oven for 45 minutes (in a handmade tinfoil bag). Then, I marinated them in red wine vinegar for a bit. I topped the drained beets with a yogurt mixed with garlic, salt, pepper, and a little sprinkle of curry. The impromptu "salad" was not too bad. I was not revolted by yet another day with my endless beets. Now, what to do with the large beet root still sitting in my fridge drawer...

My Daily Food Summary:

Breakfast:

2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Enjoy Life Cinnamon Crunch Cereal with almond milk

Lunch:

Salad (beet, fennel, apple all finely diced; olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper mixed to make dressing)
1 frozen banana pop (1 ripe banana, on a skewer, wrapped in plastic wrap, frozen)
2 cups decaf tea with a little bit of almond milk

Afternoon Snacks:

2% Yogurt & Beet Salad
Slice of chicken lunch meat with cheese

Dinner:

1 small chicken breast (eaten without skin)
Roasted veggies in chicken broth
Wine spritzer

Water: 1.5 liters so far

Exercise: I walked 6 miles in yet another scorcher of a day.

A note on my breakfast change up this week - For the past few days, I have been enjoying a break from my oats. I have been having Enjoy Life's Cinnamon Crunch Cereal. I find it a little difficult (sort of like Grape Nuts) to eat when cold because the chunks are hard, but 30 seconds in the microwave turns it into a tasty breakfast treat.

Daily Food Summaries (June 9)

Today was another scorcher! But that did not stop me from eating well or getting in my exercise. :) My pup and I walked 6 miles, and I kept to my goal calories. Woohoo.

Foods and Beverages Ingested:
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Enjoy Life Cinnamon Crunch Cereal with almond milk
Salad (beet, fennel, apple all finely diced; olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper mixed to make dressing)
1/2 gluten-free brownie
Fat free Greek yogurt with 1/2 banana
Salad (baby spinach, tuna, peppers, salad olives, blue cheese dressing)
Remaining 1/2 gluten-free brownie
2.5 liters of water

1 cup of thai coconut tea (not milk or sugar)

Tuna Salad

I have decided that I currently have mixed feelings about beets. They taste fine (not too rooty) after being marinated for a bit in the vinegary dressing. But, they are not a veggie I would snack on raw with nothing to help the taste. I have another large beet in my refrigerator. I will try roasting it and will sample the roasted beet with one or two of the dressing recipes I found online. For a picture of my beet, fennel, and apple salad, please see yesterday's daily summary.

I had a fantastic blue cheese dressing today, made by Cindy's Kitchen. This blue cheese is so much better than the awful one I had last week. I highly recommend it, if you can find a bottle.

Cindy's Kitchen Dressings (just a few of many)

Daily Food Summary (past three days, June 6-8)

Today was a good day; however, this past week I was significantly over my planned calories.

Room for improvement: I am starting to recognize some of my eating habits that are not so great... eating well over my planned calories... when I eat out or am at events. Something to think about.

Successes:
- Ate more veggies! I hope to do the same this week
- Ate less salt!
- Am still feeling buff

Today's Food Summary:
1 cup of coffee with hazelnut milk, sugar
Oats with hazelnut milk
1 medium banana
1 serving of chips
Salad (beet, fennel, apple all finely diced; olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper mixed to make dressing)
2 rice cakes with 2 tbl spoon peanut butter
2% Greek yogurt with 1/2 banana
Lots of water

Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad

Yesterday's Food Summary
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Gluten-free English muffin with cream cheese (could have skipped the cheese, the muffin was great!)
2 bananas
Grilled shrimp, rice, beans, and salsa at a Mexican restaurant
Hamburger
Watermelon (a lot)
Grilled asparagus

Friday's Final Food Summary
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Oats with water, sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar
Rice cakes with peanut butter
Fat free Greek yogurt with 1 medium banana
1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup peach sugar free soda
1 nectarine
Five Guys little hamburger (I substituted a gluten-free bun for the normal one)
Five Guys fries

Exercise: It became so hot starting Friday, but I still managed to get in my exercise over the weekend. Saturday, even though it was 99 degrees Fahrenheit (felt 105+), I got in 40 minutes of kayaking with the hubby and sister-in-law. I also got in about 3 miles walking, but had to turn around because I thought it was too hot for my pup. Tonight I went for a walk at 8pm, and it was still 98 degrees Fahrenheit. My dog and I did manage to walk for 6 miles this evening, with relative ease. I did 30 minutes of power yoga when we returned home (in the air conditioning).

Lose Weight, Increase Wealth

Studies have now linked having a healthy weight to having higher wealth levels. I find these interesting, wanting to both lose weight and increase my personal wealth. An article from the New York Times discusses multiple reasons that higher weight leads to lower income. The article also closes with something that interests me: the study found that dropping from being overweight to being in the middle of a healthy weight range can lead to a big financial improvement for some.

Extra Weight, Higher Costs

An article going into more detail on the same study's findings that losing weight can cause increases in wealth. It does note that these findings applied only when significant amounts were lost (more than 5-10 pounds), and the impact varied by race and gender.

Lose Weight, Gain Income

Even in my own case, when I lost 25+ pounds in 2006 I also saw an increase in dough. Now, not sure if these two could be directly correlated, but maybe so. I hope to replicate that increase again with this next weight loss.

Daily Food Summaries (June 5 & 6)

A quick daily summary. I am off to the in-laws house for the weekend. For the week, I think I will end up a little over 1300 calories per day, instead of 1200, which isn't great. In general though I am not to displeased. I reduced the salt I was eating this week and increased the veggies (yum-o).

Yesterday, I felt I did pretty well... until I looked up how many calories are in steak, so I ended up at about 300 calories over where I wanted to be. In general, I am pretty pleased that I didn't order dessert or a second drink yesterday. Something, however, did really upset my system eating out yesterday. I tried to order something without any flour or other ingredients to which I am allergic. I looked up the ingredients in the gluten-free beer, and it was fine, so perhaps the steak I ate was cooked with something.

Food Ingested (June 5)
1.75 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Oats with water, sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar
1 bowl of Rachel Ray Green & White Lightening Chunky Chili (more like soup than chili)
2.5 cups jicama (morning and afternoon snack)
1 banana, 1 nectarine
2 3oz pieces of steak, medium fries
1 Redbridge beer

A note on the beer - Redbridge beer (gluten free) is not nearly as tasty as the New Grist beer that I had a week or so ago. I will not be trying the Redbridge again.

Food Ingested so far (June 6)
2 cups coffee with agave nectar
Oats with water, sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar
Rice cakes with peanut butter
Fat free Greek yogurt with 1 medium banana
1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup peach sugar free soda
1 nectarine

I will be taking some food with me for the trip this weekend.

Exercise: I got in 6 miles of walking yesterday and 40 minutes of yoga. Today, I also got in 6 miles of walking.

PROPS! Big props out to my mom and miss piggy who have snuck some exercise into their schedules this week. Keep it up! I heard rumors that my sis might, too. If she has, props out to her as well!

Daily Food Summary (June 4 - Much Better!)

Today was a much better day than yesterday! Weather is still very bad (severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, wind warnings), but I went to Whole Foods and refreshed my dwindling fresh (and dry) food supply.

Food and Beverage Intake:
Breakfast:
2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Oats with water, sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar

Lunch:
Salad (1/2 can white albacore tuna in water, baby spinach, English cucumber, few jalapenos for spice, asiago ranch dressing)

Snack:
1.5 cups English cucumber with 2% Greek yogurt, posing as dip (mixed in dill, black pepper, salt, curry, cumin, and paprika)

Dinner:
2 cups sliced jicama with lime juice, salt, and cayenne pepper sprinkled on top
1 bowl of Rachel Ray Green & White Lightening Chunky Chili (more like soup than chili)
1 cup decaf tea

Water:
1.2 liters so far. Working on my second liter

Exercise: On the light side again here today. Managed to squeeze in ~1.8 miles walking between storms, but that is it. May do some yoga or stretching before retiring for the eve.

Inspiring Story - 310 lbs to a 6 pack

CNN.com posted another inspiring weight loss story this week. (I believe I have mentioned my affinity for inspiring weight loss stories and that CNN posts them periodically.)

This fellow went from 310 pounds to having a 6 pack.

College Professor Goes from Fat to "Mr. Low Body Fat"

The CNN story doesn't say whether or not he actually achieved his desired 6 pack of abs, but his blog has a picture that indicates he succeeded in reaching his 6 pack goal.

Daily Food Summary (June 3)

Today was a blah day. I worked a lot. My allergy shot appointment took a lot of time. It rained a lot. I did not walk a lot (at all). I ate a lot.

Food and Beverage Intake:
Breakfast:
2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Oats, rice milk
1 medium banana

Lunch:
1/2 salmon piece (~100 grams)
Amy's Organic Low Sodium Lentil Soup (1 cup) with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top
Orange

Snacks:
Non-fat Greek yogurt, one tbl spoon of currant jam
1 cup Thai coconut tea

Dinner:
Amy's Organic Low Sodium Lentil Soup (1 cup) with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top & 1/2 Hot Italian turkey sausage thrown into soup

Uh Oh, I Go Snack Crazy:
1.5 inch block of cheese, 1 cup fruit
2 rice cakes with 1.5 tbl spoon peanut butter
1 wine spritzer (3oz wine, 5oz Perrier lemon flavored sparkling water)

Water: 2 liters

The last snacks I had definitely threw my calories for the day way over where they were supposed to be. I need to go to the grocery store tomorrow morning to get some veggies for salads, soups, and snacks. I am completely out... which is probably why I reached for the bad snacks today. The wouldn't be soo bad, if I had budgeted for them... or stuck to just one. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a renewing, vegetably pleasing day.



I need some new snacking veggies. Maybe jicama with some lime, pepper, and salt? (See the nice picture of sliced jicama above.) Perhaps fennel? I looked to my French Women for All Seasons book for inspiration and beets and fennel were there as spring/summer foods. Cucumbers and snap peas to dip into a homemade dill yogurt sauce? Hm. Hopefully, I will find my veggies tomorrow.

Exercise: Working late, then an evening thunderstorm pushed away my walking plans for the evening. I did, however, do planned strength training, even though I did not particularly feel like it. Glad I did now!

Drink Enough Water?

An article my mother sent me today helped answer questions I had about water consumption: How do I know how much water to drink per day? Does it really have to be 8 glasses?

Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day

From the calculations in the article I may have been a little short some days with my hour long runs, but I have not been too far off the mark.

The article my mother sent through got me curious about whether or not there is a real link between weight loss and water consumption. Apparently so. The study discussed on WebMD found that drinking your eight glasses a day (if you are not already doing so) does increase your metabolic rate, which helps you lose weight. Bottoms up!

Drinking Water May Speed Weight Loss

Daily Food Summary (June 2)

Good day. Right around my target calorie range. Didn't feel too hungry. Got in my exercise and my water, per my momma's request.

Food & Beverage Consumption:
1.75 cups of coffee with agave nectar
Oats, rice milk
1/3 cup black beans
1/2 hot Italian turkey sausage
1 medium banana
1 fat free Greek yogurt
Cocoa Loco Snack Bar
1 tbl spoon olives
Salad (1/2 salmon piece (~100 grams), greenery, 1/2 tomato, olive oil and balsamic vinegar)
1 wine spritzer (4oz white zinfandel wine, 6oz Perrier lemon flavored sparkling water)
1/2 mango
2 liters of water

Exercise: I decided to take it easy on my knees and back this week and substitute in a good amount of walking for running. I walked 6 miles, averaging ~15 minutes per mile. My doggy enjoyed the slower pace (got more sniffing in, caught up on pee-mail).

New York Times Food Critic - "What's Wrong With What We Eat?"

Go to the link below to see an interesting speech by a New York Times food critic (video):

"What's Wrong With What We Eat?"

Daily Food Summary (June 1)

Today was a decent day food and exercise day. As usual I went over my calories, especially by not keeping track of my calorie count while eating at the in-laws for dinner. I still weighed 1.5 pounds heavier than last week, so I recorded yesterday's weight, which brings me right back to my starting point. I have faith though and have noticed nice muscle changes in my arms and legs... now to just notice some changes in my hips and thighs... :)

Foods & Beverages Ingested:
Breakfast:
2 cups of coffee with agave nectar
2.5 left over pizza slices (gluten-free chickpea crust, fontina cheese, diced garlic tomatoes, gulf shrimp, tarragon butter)

Lunch:
1 medium banana
1 medium latte

Snack:
Grilled potatoes with hummus

Dinner:
2/3 cup cooked white rice
Part of a boob and some dark meat of a smoked chicken (no skin)
Salad (spinach leaves, tiny bit of tomato, olive oil and balsamic vinegar)
1/2 orange
3 oz white wine

Exercise: I ran 6 miles, averaging 9 minutes and 17 seconds per mile. I am back up to being a bit speedier than I was on Friday. I also did 30 minutes of power yoga.

Gluten-intolerance: Do you have it?

• 1 in 133 Americans is gluten-intolerant.
• 1 in 22 Americans is gluten-intolerant if an immediate family member is gluten-intolerant. (So, my family members, pay attention here.)

I have been thinking about writing a post on gluten-intolerance for a while and decided today is a good day since Spider63 asked me about gluten after my last post. (If you read my last post, I discussed my excitement at having an entirely gluten free restaurant meal, including beer.)

Typical Symptoms:

• There may be none!

I did however have symptoms, which is how I discovered my wheat allergy/gluten intolerance. My symptoms included:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Gas (Stinky, too)
• Abdominal Pain
• Fatigue

I only found out I was gluten-intolerant last summer, because I was having all of the above, felt constantly lethargic and a little bit foggy in the brain. I also knew that something I was eating wasn't digesting quite right.

It was one lone day when I ate a 100% wheat pita and had the big D within a few minutes, then continued to have abdominal pain, the gas, bloating, and hay fever-like symptoms, too, that I decided that I should probably get some food allergy testing done for wheat.

I got tested a week later and did find out that I was allergic to wheat and corn and soy products (much to my surprise). My allergist, given the symptoms that I discussed with him, asked me to get tested for celiacs disease. I did get the blood test done, which came back negative. He is still encouraging me to get the more invasive test done (where they scope out your intestines), but I haven't gotten that done. (It takes on average 12 years for someone to be diagnosed with celiacs... I don't feel like waiting around for that!)

I have already found that when I get rid of wheat, soy, and corn products my digestive symptoms almost entirely disappear (including bloating, which is nice for the figure), and my allergies get better in general .

Most people who are allergic to wheat are actually allergic to the gluten (a protein) found in wheat and several other grains, including:

Wheat
Barley
Rye
Farina
Graham flour
Semolina
Durham
Bulgur
Kamut
Kasha
Matzo meal
Spelt (a form of wheat)
Triticale

I avoid all gluten products. There is some debate about whether people can have oats. Oats can often be cross contaminated with wheat and other gluten-containing items. I am an oat fanatic, so I haven't removed them from my diet. Maybe I should for a while and see if things get even better, but... we'll see.

Interesting Side Effects/Risk Factors:

Diabetes/Blood Sugar Sensitivity: Another reason I think people in my family should pay attention is that diabetes and sugar sensitivities are often linked with celiac's disease/gluten-intolerance. Several people in my family have one of the two of those.

Thyroid Diseases: A link has also been shown between thyroid diseases, such as Hashimoto's and Graves Diseases, and gluten-intolerance. Several people in my family are affected here, too. A few more links on this:

http://www.celiac.com/articles/1135/1/Connection-Found-between-Celiac-Disease-and-Hashimotos-Thyroiditis/Page1.html

http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/celiac.html

Lactose Intolerance: People who are gluten-intolerant, have celiacs disease, are allergic to wheat, etc., are often lactose intolerant due to the damage to their intestinal lining caused by the intolerance/disease/allergy. I was very lactose intolerant. One interesting thing, is that if you take gluten out of your diet, your lactose intolerance can go away as your intestines heal. I am no longer lactose intolerant! It is crazy! I can actually drink a latte made with normal milk and not pass out in pain from the effects.

PCOS and Gluten-sensitivity: Recently, people are finding that PCOS (disease that affects women's fertility) patients are often highly likely to be gluten sensitive. One nutritionist found that 85% of her PCOS patients were gluten sensitive.

If Left Untreated...

• Malnutrition
• Osteoperosis
• Lactose Intolerance
• Cancer
• Neurological Complications

Another complication for women:

• Miscarriages and Stillborn/Low Birth Weight Babies

If you think some of the items in this article apply to you, you may want to try a gluten-free diet for a month. It takes your body 2 to 3 weeks to begin healing, if you are gluten-intolerant. There are a ton of great sites for gluten-free recipes. I have one listed on my favorite blogs.

Here is a good British Web page from their National Institute of Health that discusses celiacs disease. The British are ahead of the curve on tracking the problem, because a good portion of their population appears to be affected.