Day #2. Gluten-free (so far....)

The first day was fairly easy, but I assumed it would be. In fact, it would have been extremely concerning if it had been difficult. The first day of a challenge like this should be easy - you should still be on the high of starting something new and really challenging yourself! It is the first weekend, in my opinion, that is always the hardest in any sort of healthy eating/living type challenge. 

That said, yesterday was a good day. I stuck to my meal plan, the only addition being a small glass of red wine after dinner. We had a pretty tough workout in CrossFit and, unfortunately, it included running outside. I assume this is what allowed the cedar that is proliferating Austin to attempt to take up residence in my sinuses.  I am also having some eczema spots on my arm and neck (although the neck started this weekend, also when I was outside in Dallas for more than ten minutes). By the time I took a hot shower (in attempt to dislodge the cedar) I was sneezing, had itchy eyes, felt feverish - let's just say it wasn't pretty. I am still feeling allergy-ridden this morning.

I don't remember being affected by cedar before. In fact, I was just telling my sister that I remember, in past cedar seasons, being happy that cedar did not affect me! I don't know if this year is different because we are setting record highs in Austin regarding the cedar count (seriously, see here and here if you don't believe me....and try not to sneeze while reading the articles), or if this goes back to a deeper health issue. 

There is quite a bit of research on how overall health is affected by digestive issues. Ranging from scientific journals to articles in magazines as common as Whole Living, there has been more of a focus on "gut health" and how that affects your overall health and well-being: 

Researchers say that poor gut health may even be connected to conditions like allergies, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and mood disorders.

Whole Living. November 2011. (Full article can be found online here.)

This article is not specifically focused on gluten, but overall gut health. The disruption in your gut health can begin early, and continue throughout life. And it isn't just what you eat (or don't eat) - stress, medications, antacids, and lifestyle can all contribute to gastrointestinal distress. 

So could it be that my overall gut health is causing me to have a stronger reaction to cedar than I normally would? 

There is documented research that a gluten intolerance (not celiac's disease, just an intolerance) causes systematic inflammation within your body - which is why gluten-free diets have recently been associated with reduced arthritis symptoms. This article quotes Dr. Mark Hyman, a doctor best-known for addresses chronic illnesses through a whole-systems medicine approach known as Functional Medicine and author of multiple best-selling diet and nutrition books:

“In people with non-celiac gluten intolerance, the immune system attacks the gluten,” Dr. Hyman says. “When the lining of the gut is inflamed, the body is even more prone to food reactions.” Once inflamed, “the immune system attacks full throttle. White blood cells rush to surround the offending particle and systemic inflammation ensues.

Rich Rifkin, "Is gluten causing your seasonal allergies?" (Full article can be found online here.)

The author of this article is not an expert, but he follows the same logical conclusion that I would follow: Since allergies are a hypersensitivity disorder of your immune system, in which your immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance in an inflammatory manner, it stands to reason that those reactions would be increased if your immune system was already in overdrive due to another factor (such as a gluten sensitivity). 

Now I will step back a minute, remind anyone who is reading this that I am NOT a doctor - and I am just making some layman observations of something that could be possible. I also haven't decided if I believe the hype about gluten! That is what this month is all about. But due to my strange love of all things that involve research, this month isn't just about trying a gluten-free diet....but also learning everything I can - the good, the bad, and the ugly - about the benefits or detriments of said diet. 

So, since I am currently struggling with seasonal allergies - it seemed an interesting rabbit hole to jump down and read what was out there. At the same time, let's not forget that cedar is at its highest point EVER in Austin...and I am not the only one suffering with cedar fever. Maybe eliminating gluten will help, but for now I will continue with the allergy eye drops, Zyrtec and humidifier (and lots and lots of tissues).

Now...onto my meal plan!

Day #2
Tuesday
January 14, 2014

Breakfast
Two scrambled eggs with turkey sausage, refried black beans and a half-ounce of jalapeño muenster cheese
Black coffee

Lunch
Salad with tilapia, tomatoes, onions and avocado with salsa as a dressing

Snack
Plain peanuts and an apple

Workout
Spin class

Dinner
Gluten-free pasta (I will report on this tomorrow!) with peppers and italian sausage (I made sure to get the gluten free sausage)
Possibly a piece of dark chocolate or a small glass of wine...