Gettin’ Gluten-Free Goodness with Chestnuts
Posted by Kirill Storch on 1/16/2011
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Chestnuts
One of the biggest gluten research institutions, the Center for Celiac Disease at the University of Maryland, reported that fifteen percent of the world have a gluten allergy. They went on to say that almost thirty-five percent of the world feel better and experience improved digestion with a highly gluten restricted diet.
It’s hard to see this in a culture that’s so thoroughly addicted to gluten it doesn’t even know it.
When we feel bad due to gluten, we lack the insight to be able to identify what’s bothering us. We usually just say “oh, I get stomach aches sometimes,” or, “that’s my normal head ache kicking in.” But often cutting out gluten is enough to drastically reshape your body’s patterns.
Even commonplace dysfunctions, like gas, uneven bowel movements, acne, feeling “heavy,” or lethargy-- can often be improved by cutting out gluten.
Now there are no stupid questions, and often times, the first one that comes up is....”What is Gluten Anyway?” That’s a fair question. And it was only a few months ago when I was on Wikipedia trying to figure it out myself.
Gluten is a composite protein. It’s a type of starch that is joined together by grass-related strands, like wheat, rye, and barley.
It’s very sticky which is why they named it “glu-ten,” because it’s sort of like glue. It’s the reason that pastries stick together and bread is so chewy
Rice, chestnuts, almonds, and corn on the other hand are gluten free. Chestnuts especially are known to be good for a gluten free diet.
If you are at all concerned about your health-- try a simple challenge diet. Eliminate all gluten from your body. Just for a few days. It’s only a little time out of your routine but it could make a world of difference.
While you are on this diet, you can still eat rice and get your bread and pasta fix from chestnut bread and chestnut pasta.
Then slowly try reintroducing gluten into your diet and monitor how you feel in a food journal.
This is an amazing diet that can literally cure stomach aches and even sinus problems that are usually coughed up to pollen allergies. It also improves energy, which can help with mood problems.
And if this sounds too hard, try cutting out gluten for just one day out of the week. Every week. This may help you a little bit, but enough to be noticeable. And as always, look to your friends at Girolami Farms for a trove of great gluten-free recipes.
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