Today’s Featured Comment
Hello, all. I have just been reading the book “Wheat Belly” the title speaks of the ‘belly fat’ we all know and love to complain about… I have found it very interesting!! Written by a doctor who has specialized in the insulin resistance problem, it suggests NOT lowering your fats intake, but get rid of all wheat. Fats such as olive oil (extra virgin) pure organic coconut Oil, and butter, are actually healthy, and the nutrients they provide are needed by the body.
The newer types of wheat cause a lot of problems, and 99.9 percent of the foods in the grocery store that are processed in any way contain this wheat. I have cut out all wheat from my diet, and have lost my ‘belly fat’! I dont have the “usual” symptoms of celiac or wheat intolerance, but I do have asthma. Some of my menopausal symptoms were actually wheat induced, and I DID have belly fat.
It may be worth your time to read this book. The author is William Davis, MD. It was a real eye-opener for me. He talks a lot about insulin intolerance and the many ways gluten intolerance can mimic other things. Often times docs do not know what is wrong and simply prescribe drugs to mask the symptoms. Removing gluten brings healing. Sometimes even corn and rice gluten must go also.
This is getting too long.. read the book!! 
–Carolyne
[This comment was originally posted in this conversation. ~ Eds.]
I can sure relate to these conversations. I got divorced when my kids were small and met friends through my kids daycare and we have kept in touch over the years. They are good friends but I don't get to see them as much as I'd like to. This past mon
Very beautiful. I meditate when I get home from work. I get up at 5:30 and just can't get motivated to get up any earlier. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I immediately go to prayer. It's comforting. Teresa
Since December 2011 I have been off wheat and I lost 22 lbs. I have less craving and am able to feel when I am full to stop eating. At times I do want pizza but I try not to eat them.
Dr. Davis’ book may seem extreme because he doesn’t think ANYBODY should eat wheat – but I think gluten could become the next “nicotine” with regard to health problems (remember — way back smoking was considered “healthful”). I never knew anything about gluten sensitivity or celiac disease (its most extreme form), but just happened to read an on-line article and realized I had or have had about 2/3 of the symptoms the article listed (actually there are about 300 symptoms and fortunately nobody has all of them). So I decided to go gluten-free – just took myself over to Whole Foods and bought the most normal looking gluten-free products I could find (bread, cookies, pasta). Almost immediately my acid reflux vanished, my depression lifted, I gained more energy, and most importantly, I was not hungry all the time. Over the little more than a year since I’ve been gluten-free my skin has improved, my bones are stronger, I no longer have sleep issues and I’ve gained a tremendous amount of stamina. Also, I’ve been able to eat just about anything I want (as long as it’s gluten-free) and have maintained the same weight. It’s so little to give up and so much to gain. My theory may be even more extreme than Dr. Davis’ – gluten consumption may be one of the major causes of aging – it just finally wears your body down and the body reacts by developing infection and disease. Hopefully more research will be conducted on gluten and the causes of aging and disease.
I agree with you Marilyn. I tested myself as soon as I eat food with gluten I could gain 5 lbs in a day. It is like nicotine, I find it very hard to stop completely. Still addicted to that stuff. To quit nicotine, it took me three tries. I guess it is all between my two ears.
I have psoriasis and by eating gluten free food, my skin is less irritated. I am definately less tired, pretty well like what you wrote.
I now feel encouraged to follow through with this way of eating. Thank you for sharing.
My youngest brother has Rheumatoid Arthritis and was taking steroids for the pain, among other prescribed meds he needed as a result of taking them. He gained an enormous amount of weight, which made his condition worse. He finally decided, “Enough,” took control, approaching his RA in a more holistic way. Eliminating wheat/glutens from his diet was a huge factor for his success. He has lost over 100 lbs. and is completely prescription med free. A solid testimony.
Sounds very interesting.
I gave up wheat and sugar in my early twenties and except for social occasions where pizza or pasta or birthday cake are served, or the long hike that earns me a piece of chocolate, I’ve stuck with that plan. I’m not a naturally lean person, which is why I was motivated to take that approach way back when. At 60, I’m still a size 6 — and still watching what I eat!
Totally agree. I eat an avocado a day and use so much olive oil, I might have to start hiding the bottles!
I’ve been doing the Four-Hour Body diet by Tim Ferris, which basically says the same thing–if it is (or can be) white, don’t eat it! So nothing with wheat, rice, potatoes, or most dairy (there are a few exception). However, he advocates one “cheat day” per week (so if you really want pizza you can still have it!). As a carb addict it gives me something to look forward to! Also any digestive issues are much improved on this eating plan. Best of all I’ve maintained a size 4-6 figure exercising and eating this way–not bad for an almost 57-year old grandma!
My 65 year old husband and I both read this book in October. My husband is a dentist and I am a university trained nutritionist. We quit (for the most part!) eating wheat right then and there. We also try to keep our insulin levels in check. If you are serious about wanting to lose the belly fat, read the book. It is very well written and easy to follow. You will not be able to put it down…and will have trouble picking up wheat ever again. And, as Carolyne alluded, you may even see some other health symptoms disappear!
DO read the book! Dr. Davis also has a blog and a facebook page with lots of information and great tips.
One more thing…there is an addictive quality to gluten that keeps you wanting more. Fortunately, it does not take long to get over this craving. For me, once I gave up wheat/gluten and began Dr. Davis’ plan, no real craving for wheat.
I second that comment. The addictive quality is real, but when you quit cold turkey, the craving stops within a couple of days.
I have been wheat free, as much as I can be with it in practically everything processed on the planet, for over 20 years. At that time, no one was talking about Celiacs or Wheat intolerance of any kind. I had to basically diagnose myself by taking the 5 major allergens out of my diet one at a time. And wheat was the winner! In the last few years, gluten free foods and products have sprung up all over the place and many, not all, are just as good if not even better than their wheat loaded originals. Thank you Betty Crocker for going mainstream gluten free! Betty was the first real light at the end of my cardboard tasting baked products tunnel and now I have to hide the brownies from my family who thinks they are better than wheat brownies!
I wish all of you good luck with this new diet and but know you will crave and have to detox from wheat before you can be free of its effects. Its like being an alcoholic, your sure you can control it with just one bite/drink but you can’t. Its all or nothing with this diet. After your free from wheat, getting a little in your diet by accident will trigger the old negative reactions fairly fast and let me say, ‘dramatically’. (Read: like the stomach flu!) But the clarity of thought, lack of aches and pains, freedom from acid reflux, lifting of depression, and headaches is so worth it. When your ‘wheat sick’ not with Celiacs, you feel like your insane. No test on the planet will come back positive to help you find the reason you feel so bad.
Read every label, even when it says gluten free, wide range here, and even if you have eaten it before. There is a big race to fill this new market with products for the wheat intolerant public to buy but not all are as gluten free as they say. If it says that its manufactured on machines that have wheat used on them too, put it back on the shelf and move on. Wheat flour gets into everything and will trigger a reaction. Remember, products and their manufacturing change constantly. I have been tripped up by this many times over the years and have learned to be very, very careful. New labeling helps to ferret out the ingredients but its up to you to read them.
Enjoy your good health! Good luck all!
Yes, there are three major culprits in our diet to watch our for. Gluten, sugars and lactose – they are responsible for almost everything that is wrong with today’s society. Once partially or completely removed from our diets than we feel and look better. I am one of those who had to replace them by wholesome food. I do not regret it one bit. It took me a long time to switch from one diet to the other but it was worth it.
I read the book and believe every word. I also try to check Dr. Davis’ website regularly.