Our relationship with bread: It's complicated.

Are you and gluten getting on at the moment or are you avoiding it at all costs?

For some, their relationship with bread is a choice and for others, its an unfortunate situation they simply can't change.

My tummy reacts just fine to gluten, so I'm all for it, in moderation. I do avoid eating too many carb-heavy meals, which in turn means I don't eat a lot of gluten. 

Many of my friends have gone gluten-free by choice, and it works for them. But there are so many mixed messages, it can be hard to sift through the facts about bread and gluten...and whether it is "the enemy". A recent story I did with Coeliac Australia helped clear up a few myths.

Ten percent of us would say we are on a gluten free diet. but only one percent of the population is celiac and interestingly, research hasn't found a link between other tummy disorders and gluten.

Those diagnosed coeliac know they simply MUST avoid the stuff.  A lovely woman I interviewed suffered for years with cramps, and pain, especially in the morning after eating her toast. Once she thought she was suffering a heart attack, the symptoms were so bad. 

She's happier and healthier after she was diagnosed, but the it's not easy to be coeliac.. especially if you're Italian, like she is! She told me people don't understand that she can't "just have a little bit of bread" or have a some cake because "it's a special occasion". Even her mum didn't get it. It was really frustrating for her.

For celiacs, eating gluten not only causes pain but it causes long term damage. The gluten eats away at the wall of the small intestine. Not pretty.

For these people, its not about being fussy or picky. I can't imagine life without the occasional piece of crunchy sourdough or musli. I feel for them!

I don't know how I'd cope without the option of delicious breakfasts like this. Qunioa breakfast rice at Room 10 Potts Point.

Those of us lucky enough to chose, or who experience intolerance or discomfort when we eat gluten here are some facts..

• When it comes to weight loss, according to researchers, many loose weight in a gluten free diet, but that's because they're cutting back refined carbs. Cakes, white bread etc.
• I you love a crunchy fresh bread, sourdough is the healthiest option according to nutritionists, it's much easier to digest and it's less "yeasty".
• If you're trying to avoid processed food, experts remind us that gluten-free bread is still heavily "processed". 
• A gluten-free muffin is still a muffin... dammit. 
• And now this seems obvious, but a nutritionist recently reminded me that YOU know what's best for you. 

It can be hard to avoid the food-fad noise. I feel that making decisions can all be very simple if I listen to my body and notice how it reacts to certain foods. That might mean being are vegan, gluten-free or having heaps of healthy grains. Most importantly, when I'm listening to my body, I don't overeat or deprive myself.

"Listening to your body" is a cliche.. but as a fine news producer once told me, "it's only a cliche because it works". Exactly. 

Lotsa love. 

JT

xx