Food sensitivities reflect gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and overall discomfort. Additionally, multiple other symptoms like headache, wheezing, brain fog, depression, and even rheumatic diseases can be triggered by the food we are ingesting. These symptoms are easily found in patients with celiac disease, lactose intolerance, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and are treated with a dietary restriction to those specific foods. Nowadays, we know that some of these conditions can be associated with gut permeability, which might affect the tolerance to other cereal or grain-based foods. Gluten-free diets commonly substitute gluten-containing products with corn or rice, but some patients may develop a sensitivity to those foods as well. So, what can we eat when a gluten-free diet is not enough?
Table of Contents
Recommending a restrictive dietary pattern to those patients with multiple food sensitivities represents a challenge. Indeed, the substitution of certain foods might provoke a nutrient deficiency or even take out a whole food group from the patientβs diet. Consequently, supplementation of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids is crucial to maintain balance and wellbeing.
In the particular case of lactose intolerance, all dairy products or derivates are taken out of the patientβs diet. Up until recently, alternative milk or yogurts were not easily found in local markets. This represented a problem since fermented dairy products predominately alter a healthy microbiome, and probiotics found in these foods could potentially benefit the patient.Β Β
Luckily for us, now we can find different yogurt or milk alternatives. This brings back some familiarity to the patientβs diet since yogurts or a glass of milk can be used as quick grab-and-go food.Β
Dairy alternatives:
I will tell you a personal confession: When I started as a nutritionist, I work with an allergist providing the elimination of restrictive diets to his patients. They would go under an allergen-free elimination diet for the first month and then go through a skin-prick test. Some patients develop a rice or corn sensitivity after a few months of going through the elimination diet.
Many factors can explain this situation. For example, kids tend to have a more monotone diet and reject food alternatives and develop a new sensitivity after eating the same food over and over again.Β
What can we eat when going gluten-free isnβt enough?
If I could go back, I would say to my past self: Give the parents ALL the different options or alternatives. Also, tell them to try to vary the options and watch for any new reactions.
Gluten alternatives:
Corn and rice sensitivity:
Considering my previous experience and knowing all of the different testing tools we have today, I highly suggest taking a grain and corn sensitivity test. This past statement comes from looking at the faces of concerned parents who do not know what is going on with their children.
In addition, several grains have a similar protein structure as gluten and might cause a reaction. So, what is left to do when a rice or corn sensitivity es present. First of all, donβt panic, and letβs look for alternatives:
Corn and rice alternatives:
Creating a dietary pattern that is easy to follow, with varied food and alternatives, is crucial to detract from additional food sensitivities. Letβs also remember that part of a dietary elimination pattern is the re-introduction or challenge of certain foods to ensure dietary sufficiency. In addition, an elimination diet seeks to find gastrointestinal regeneration and control on the immune response. Once the GI tract is recovered and the symptoms have been reduced, the patient should feel free to reintroduce foods slowly. Also, everyone has a different set of food they are sensitive to. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult a nutritionist for proper dietary changes. β Ana Paola RodrΓguez Arciniega, MS.
References:
Lerner, Aaron et al. βNavigating the Gluten-Free Boom: The Dark Side of Gluten-Free Diet.βΒ Frontiers in pediatricsΒ vol. 7 414. 15 Oct. 2019, doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00414
Additional Online Links & Resources (Available 24/7)Β
Online Appointments or Consultations: bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment
Β Online Physical Injury / Accident Intake Form:Β bit.ly/Fill-Out-Your-Online-HistoryΒ
Β Online Functional Medicine Assessment:Β bit.ly/functionmed
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "What To Eat When Gluten-Free Is Not Enough" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card
While some disc herniations don't cause symptoms, individuals who are overweight with a herniated disc… Read More
Can individuals have a full night of sleep by making small changes to their sleep… Read More
Can the short-term potato diet be a solution for individuals trying to lose weight? Potato… Read More
Can individuals improve their brain function by incorporating yoga as part of their routine to… Read More
Can understanding what knee tests are used help a healthcare provider diagnose the cause of… Read More
Can individuals dealing with psoriatic arthritis find non-surgical treatments to reduce joint pain and improve… Read More