Why I Started a Gluten-Free Lifestyle: My Personal Journey
Three years ago, when I began my health coaching certification course at IIN, I knew I wanted to walk the same path as my future clients. One class, focusing on the Elimination Diet, caught my attention. It explained how specific foods, like gluten, might trigger intolerances or inflammation. Curious, I decided to try a gluten-free lifestyle for three weeks—not just to experience the effects of avoiding gluten but also to understand how challenging it would be to shop, plan, and cook without it.
Fast forward to today: I’m still gluten-free, and here’s why.
For years, I struggled with seasonal allergies, food sensitivities, and stubborn skin issues like inflammation and acne. Despite excellent blood work and hormone levels, I couldn’t pinpoint the root cause. I relied heavily on skincare products, but as we all know, true skin health starts from within.
Those three gluten-free weeks were challenging at first. I craved pizza and bread like crazy. However, I focused on building a nutrient-dense, satisfying menu rich in healthy fats and proteins to curb my cravings. After two weeks, I noticed remarkable changes: my skin started clearing up, bloating disappeared, my energy levels surged, and even my cellulite seemed to improve.
Most shockingly, some of my food sensitivities vanished. Foods like apples, nuts, and raw carrots, which had once left me with itchy lips and swollen eyes, were no longer an issue. I felt lighter, clearer-headed, and just… better.
Though I haven’t had a doctor supervise this journey, my guess is that I’d been living with chronic gut inflammation. Gluten is known to be inflammatory for everyone to some degree—though some people are more affected than others. By cutting gluten, I finally allowed my gut to heal, and with it came transformations I never expected: healthier skin, reduced allergies, and a deep sense of well-being.
For me, staying gluten-free isn’t about restriction—it’s about honoring how great I feel in my body now. This journey has changed my health and life, and I hope my story inspires you to explore what works best for your unique body. 🌿
A gluten-free lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and it can be incredibly challenging to completely change your diet.
Many doctors and nutritionists caution that elimination diets, including gluten-free ones, might lead to nutrient deficiencies—but this doesn’t have to be the case at all. In fact, in today’s world, we often rely too heavily on flour-based products, which can lead to a monotonous diet lacking variety and essential micronutrients.
One of the biggest benefits of a gluten-free diet is the opportunity to diversify and enrich your meals. By eliminating gluten, you’re naturally inclined to explore a wider range of vegetables, gluten-free grains, and nutrient-dense alternatives. These additions often make the diet more balanced and vibrant, offering a richer spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. And no, you shouldn’t go to the gluten free bread and cookie section at the supermarket, which most often than not are worse than gluten-containing foods.
For me, going gluten-free has been a complete game changer. It encouraged me to try new foods I hadn’t incorporated into my meals before, broadening my diet in ways I never imagined. Ironically, my diet became more diverse and nutritious after giving up gluten than it ever was before.
It’s not about restriction—it’s about expansion. A gluten-free lifestyle gives you the chance to discover new flavors, textures, and ingredients that truly nourish your body while still keeping your meals enjoyable and satisfying. For me, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my health and well-being. 🌿
5 Reasons to Try a Gluten-Free Diet
1. Reduce Inflammation
Gluten can be inflammatory for some people, even without a diagnosed gluten intolerance. Eliminating gluten might help reduce bloating, fatigue, and even joint pain caused by low-grade inflammation.
2. Improve Gut Health
For those with sensitive digestive systems, going gluten-free can ease digestion and improve nutrient absorption. Many report feeling lighter and less bloated after making the switch.
3. Clearer Skin
Skin issues like acne, rashes, or eczema can sometimes be tied to food sensitivities, including gluten. A gluten-free diet could help clear up these concerns by addressing underlying inflammation.
4. Better Energy and Focus
Some people experience brain fog or fatigue when consuming gluten. Eliminating it from your diet could result in higher energy levels and improved mental clarity.
5. Explore a More Varied Diet
Going gluten-free naturally encourages you to try nutrient-dense alternatives like vegetables, legumes, gluten-free grains, and healthy fats, broadening your nutritional intake.
Why Work with a Health Coach?
Guidance & Expertise: A health coach can help you transition smoothly by creating balanced meal plans that ensure you don’t miss out on vital nutrients.
Personalized Support: Everyone’s body reacts differently to diet changes. A coach will tailor the approach to your bioindividual needs.
Accountability: Making a big lifestyle change can be challenging—having someone to guide and cheer you on makes a huge difference.
Ready to Begin Your Gluten-Free Journey?
Let’s do this together! 🌿 Schedule a free 30-minute call with me to start your gluten-free journey with personalized support and guidance. Click the link below or send me a message today! ✨
For those who like to look at the science and research, here is a good list of some studies:
Here are a few scientific studies and sources that support claims related to gluten, inflammation, and the benefits of a gluten-free diet for certain individuals:
1. Gluten and Inflammation
Study: “Effects of gluten on gut permeability in individuals without celiac disease”
Findings: Gluten can increase intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) in certain individuals, even without celiac disease. This can lead to inflammation and symptoms related to food sensitivities.
Source: Vazquez-Roque et al., Gastroenterology, 2013.
Link: PubMed Abstract
2. Gluten-Free Diet and Skin Health
Study: “Gluten-associated skin conditions and the effects of gluten-free diets”
Findings: A gluten-free diet has been shown to improve skin conditions such as dermatitis herpetiformis and may benefit individuals with gluten sensitivity presenting with skin inflammation.
Source: Fabbri et al., Journal of Dermatological Science, 2015.
3. Gut-Brain Connection and Gluten
Study: “The role of diet in gut-brain communication: Microbiome and inflammation”
Findings: Gluten-free diets can help reduce systemic inflammation and improve gut microbiome diversity, potentially enhancing mental clarity and reducing brain fog in sensitive individuals.
Source: Mayer et al., Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2014.
4. Gluten Sensitivity and Allergies
Study: “Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: Clinical relevance and underlying mechanisms”
Findings: Gluten-free diets can improve symptoms in people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, including reduced gastrointestinal discomfort and alleviated allergic reactions.
Source: Catassi et al., Nutrients, 2015.
Link: PubMed Abstract
5. Nutrient Diversity in Gluten-Free Diets
Study: “Nutritional adequacy of gluten-free diets: Are they healthier?”
Findings: Gluten-free diets often encourage consumption of naturally gluten-free, nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes, and alternative grains like quinoa and buckwheat, contributing to a more diverse nutrient profile.
Source: Saturni et al., Nutrients, 2010.
Link: Full Text
6. Gluten-Free Diet and Micronutrient Absorption
Study: “Impact of gluten-free diets on nutrient absorption in individuals with gluten sensitivity”
Findings: Removing gluten from the diet can improve nutrient absorption in individuals with compromised gut health, leading to increased levels of iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
Source: Kupper et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005.