I work with many patients to change their diet so they can live healthier and happier lives. This means completely changing the way people think and feel about food. At first it may seem as hard as quitting smoking but just like smoking, once you have removed it from your diet, it never tastes the same. But removing gluten from the diet can be the hardest for patients but have the most benefits.

Gluten is the protein that is contained in wheat. Most people think that means that they will never have bread, cupcakes, or pancakes again. This is simply just not true. As the benefits of being gluten-free continue to grow, patients are paying money for these food items and grocery stores are listening.

It used to be that you could never find rice bread that is commonly used as an alternative to regular bread in a regular grocery store. Now, all you have to do is go to about any chain grocery store and you will find an alternative of some kind. Sure, some alternatives may be better than others but it is start. They will also commonly sell rice, tapioca, coconut, and sorghum flour to make anything from bread, pizza, and pancakes at home.

But do gluten free pancakes taste like buttermilk pancakes? No, they don’t and they aren’t supposed to. That is where most people give up. But just because they don’t taste like it, doesn’t mean they don’t taste delicious. They taste different but the biggest benefit is that most people will eat the gluten free pancakes with their maple syrup, butter, and bacon and not have to take a nap immediately after with their antacid. People eliminate gluten to feel better.

Does that mean they can never have a buttermilk pancake again? Only if they are diagnosed with celiac disease, should you avoid gluten entirely due to the inflammatory reaction that they will have upon digestion. People who eliminate gluten from their diet due to inflammation and just good overall health are still able to eat gluten if they so desire, but most people recognize the difference in how they feel once they eliminate gluten from their diet. Most of those who have eliminated the joint pain, fatigue, and heartburn decreases, simply do not want to go back to living that way. And I don’t think you could blame them for it, would you?