A few weeks ago I was sick every single day with the worst 'attacks' (this is what I call it when I'm experiencing all the lovely pains and such that are caused by an intolerance) I had ever experienced. I missed classes, was exhausted, and couldn't eat ANYTHING without getting sick. Absolutely miserable.
Sometime in my mid-high school years I saw my doctor about these attacks. I was tested for Celiac but the results came back negative so it was ruled that I was gluten intolerant and was most likely developing a lactose intolerance as well. At the time these attacks were infrequent and uncomfortable, but nothing I couldn't handle and I didn't see any reason to change my diet drastically. Instead I avoided whole wheat and tried to drink less milk. Ha.
After the week of the awful attacks I did a lot of research online about gluten and lactose intolerance and was surprised by what I read. I knew the difference between an allergy and an intolerance as I had to explain that to people for years. But I did not know that if you are gluten or lactose intolerant and continue consuming those foods that you are tearing apart your digestive system. There are many long term problems associated with continuing to eat the wrong foods including cancer.
I have been trying to go gluten and lactose free for almost a month now and the more I learn, the harder it becomes. Even the smallest things have gluten or dairy in them. The easiest way is to cook for myself. Then again that's not easy at all considering how busy I am. But I think the hardest part so far has been trying to eat on campus in the dining hall. I am still getting sick even after eating the simplest of foods. I'm starting to think I need to see an allergy specialist to figure out exactly what bothers me.
For now, I'll continue to explore these gluten and dairy free options and hopefully be baking plenty of yummy goodies :)
