Time and again, Dr. Lark has recommended that women of all
hormone types limit, if not avoid, wheat and wheat-based products. I personally
subscribed to this advice several years ago and I can tell you first-hand that
I believe it has played a large role in balancing my hormones.
Wheat is one of the two most common food allergens, and the
gluten found in wheat can trigger a very serious condition known as celiac
disease. Those afflicted with the disorder are plagued by diarrhea, gas,
vomiting, and anemia, and are at higher risk for more serious conditions,
including osteoporosis and gastrointestinal cancer.
Clearly celiac is the very extreme of wheat-related
issues, but if you are concerned about your hormonal health, you would be wise
to steer clear of wheat. Women suffering from menopause symptoms are often at
risk for wheat-related mood shifts, due in part to their growing inability to
produce enough enzymes that are needed to digest wheat properly and easily.
And for those of you who are in estrogen dominance or are
experiencing early menopause or premenopause, wheat should also been taken off
your list. Wheat can worsen PMS symptoms and aggravate all perimenopause
symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding and irregular menstrual cycles.
Plus, studies have shown that an astounding 80 to 93 percent of women suffering
from migraines also suffer from food allergies that trigger their headaches,
and wheat is one of the most common allergens that affects migraineurs.
What to Eat
Believe me, I know the idea of giving up wheat can be
daunting, but remember, it is an ingredient, not an entire food group. That
means you can still have bread, pasta, pizza, pancakes, crackers, cookies,
etc.you just need to know what kind to buy. Thankfully, you have this blog to
guide you!
For bread, I highly recommend Glutinos Flaxseed bread. In
fact, its the only pre-sliced bread I recommend. It is amazing toasted or
dipped in an egg and cinnamon mixture and grilled. Top with saut?ed apples and
you are in for a treat!
For an easy, amazing flour and pancake mix, Pamelas
Products is the way to go. They also have bread, brownie, and cake mixes that
you cant beat. Ive even swayed my family onto these mixes and they dont even
try to eat wheat-free
the mixes are just that good!
For pizza, you can buy Amys rice crust frozen pizza or
pick up a bag of Namaste Foods pizza crust mix. It is easy and delicious!
For pasta, you cant go wrong with Bionaturae pastas. My
husband ate these pastas for nearly six months before he knew they were
wheat-free.
For cookies, there are a large number of wheat-free
brands. My personal favorites are Pamelas Oatmeal Raisin, Paul Newmans
wheat-free, dairy-free Fig Newmans (yes, I spelled that right!), and Jennies
Chocolate Macaroons.
Most of the brands Ive mentioned are available at Whole
Foods Markets. To locate a store near you, log on to www.wholefoods.com. If there isnt one in your area, you can still
purchase products from the store by visiting www.gaiam.com, clicking on shop, then on health, and finally
on Whole Foods Market. You can also visit my Web site at www.decadenthealth.com for a list of wheat-free substitutions and recipes.
And to give you a little taste of how easy and delicious
wheat-free can be, heres a great granola recipe from my grandmother that Ive
tweaked over the years. Enjoy!
Grandma Ginny’s Granola
4 cups oatmeal
2 cups soy flour
1 cup almonds, sliced
1 cup sunflower seeds, raw
1 cup coconut, unsweetened
1 cup flaxseed, ground
1/2 cup dried mango
2/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
- Preheat
oven to 350°F. - Grease
13×9-inch baking dish. - Combine
oats, flour, almonds, sunflower seed, coconut, flaxseed, and mango in a
large bowl. Set aside. - Combine
oil, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl. Pour over oat mixture and blend
well. - Pour
mixture into baking dish and bake for 4045 minutes or until browned. Stir
mixture every 1015 minutes. - Cool
on baking rack. Can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight
container.