Getting Rid of The Wheat Belly

I have been reading a book called Wheat Belly, written by a cardiologist named William Davis.  It has been a real eye opener for me.



There is gluten-intolerance in The Captain’s family… on his Father’s side.  Several of his Father’s siblings and their children have symptoms ranging from mild to severe.  His Father was diagnosed with a type of cerebellar ataxia in his 60s and experienced loss of feeling in his hands and feet and had several other symptoms including slurring of his speech and muscular dysfunction.  It presented in a manner similar to MS.  Too late to do him any good, we learned it was gluten-related.

The Captain’s older sister and her daughter are both gluten intolerant too.  So, the whole gluten question is something I have been interested in, and have been reading about for several years, off and on.  I thought it would be good to arm myself with some knowledge in case The Captain started experiencing  any symptoms.

Recently, one of our friends found out that she has what she calls wheat sensitivity and within a few weeks of going on a wheat-free regimen, she lost 13 pounds, her skin cleared up, she regained her normal energy levels and says she feels like a new improved version of herself.  Her weight has stabilized, she no longer craves snacks, and her doctor told her that her blood sugar levels are now normal and she is no longer experiencing  low blood sugar and the need to eat every couple of hours.

I can attest to the fact that she looks marvelous… shiny skin and hair, and although we are the same height – almost 5’ 11” tall, and a couple of years apart in age,  she weighs in at 135 and looks as sleek and toned as a racehorse.  The last time I had seen her she was pudgy and soft and pale and as energetic as a slug.  What a change!

When I heard what had brought about these changes, I was really intrigued and put this book Wheat Belly, on reserve at the library.  I picked it up yesterday afternoon and cannot stop reading it.

I am not one to jump on every popular health/diet/foodie bandwagon.  But when I read this book, I felt several chapters of it had been written just for me.  The doctor describes in great (and somewhat boring I think) detail how the wheat we are eating now is not the same as the wheat our grandparents ate..  and how is has been modified.

What I do find fascinating, is how this has affected a couple of generations of us… with blood sugar being too high, insulin spikes, carb addictions, obesity, unexplained weight gain, skin problems, signs of again ‘too early’ with cataracts and internal organ problems, schizophrenia, diabetes and so much more.

He goes on to give hope for reversal of some of these things by giving up wheat… and he does address gluten intolerance and celiac disease too.  Wheat free is not the same as gluten free.
Some of these health issues hit home for me.  And the carb sensitivity I already know about.. and the blood sugar spikes and the ‘hanger’.  I am also battling carb addiction right now and cannot seem to conquer it.  So, yes, I am very intrigued.

He discusses the differences between wheat and gluten very well.

I thought it was very interesting that he says don’t go gluten free by EATING gluten free. 

What?  Can you explain that, please?

It means don’t start substituting gluten free version of things such as rice crackers, gluten-free cakes and cookies, baking mixes, and etc, for the wheat/gluten version.  These things are generally made with rice starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, and/or cornstarch, and these ingredients actually raise our blood sugar levels even higher than the wheat products do.

And towards the end of the book he goes on to give some advice about how to become wheat-free either by eliminating it ‘cold turkey’ or by gradually giving it up.  And he has some really good looking menus and recipes.

Okay, I am at the point now where I am ready to do some experimenting with giving up WHEAT… not ready at this point to go all the way to giving up GLUTEN, or all GRAINS and STARCHES but willing to dip my toe into the wheat-free pond.  Do I see Paleo in my future?

I am committing to one week and going to record my eats and my reactions and assess at the end of the 7 days.  I think that will give me enough time to see how HARD it is, if I have any withdrawal symptoms, and then decided if I go further, or give it up, at that point.

I realy want to get off this carb-craving merry-go-round!

Today I purchased some rice cakes and some brown rice pasta... we shall see how it goes.

What do you think?  Have your heard or read anything about modern day wheat being a culprit in the deterioration of our health?