Gluten Freedom

I live in the gluten-free capital of the world. I can’t go to a single restaurant in this city without seeing “gluten-free” all over the menu. Last month I saw someone selling gluten-free dog treats. Gluten-free’s super-SWPL, and likewise my city’s full of bike paths, farmer’s markets, microbreweries, tea shops, yoga classes, dispensaries, and Priuses, all of which are great to make fun of while being generally good things.

I have a problem with gluten-free, though. Only a small percentage of people who buy gluten-free products actually suffer from celiac; the majority (90%+) are people who think they’re “gluten sensitive.” Here are some symptoms of gluten sensitivity – gas, headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression. If you don’t experience at least one of those every week, you’re not a mammal. A recent study said “a third of the population can be sensitive to gluten or have the potential to be sensitive to it.” That’s great wording; for that matter 100% of the population as the potential to develop cancer. This is starting to sound like an old post of mine; the strategy’s called “scare tactics.” Make them think they’re sensitive to gluten, and they’ll pay a premium for the gluten-free stuff.

Of course, the idea that gluten is bad isn’t wrong, money just fucked it up as usual. There’s a ton of research out there that says avoiding gluten can be good for your health. So here’s how you avoid gluten – you don’t eat grains. You know what’s gluten-free? Meat. Fruits. Vegetables. The PHD. Taking the gluten out of a sugar cookie doesn’t make it a health food, bloggers. The problem isn’t just wheat protein; if I got 1000 calories from white sugar I’d have a headache too.

Gluten-free bread is like fake meat, something else I think is ridiculous. If you give up meat, you give up burgers and hot dogs. If you give up gluten, you give up bread and pasta. Self-discipline is part of a healthy diet. Here’s a nice quote from someone who’s not an idiot:

If you choose to be gluten-free, it’s best to avoid the “Gluten-Free” products as well, because they are often processed, starchy substitutes that are no better than their gluten-containing counterparts.

And gluten-free dog food? All for it. It’s called raw meat.

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New Edition – Can You Stand The Rain || 1988/Heart Break

Nutrient Density through Whole Foods

My pet project for the past few months has been working on getting a maximum high amount of nutrients from whole foods (no supplements) while eating mostly Paleo, balancing Omega-3/Omega-6 fats, and maintaining healthy gut flora. I’ve been tracking my results and so far it’s been a success.

Here’s nutrient density in 7 words – beef, salmon, liver, almonds, dark green vegetables. If you ate nothing but those six foods you’d be hitting hundreds and thousands on your DV’s every day. To keep your Omegas balanced, cook with coconut oil. To boost your gut flora, eat live fermented foods. That’s it in a nutshell. Here’s the specifics.

I – The Basics

Meat & Fish

Per calorie meat and fish are very nutritionally dense and can easily provide the majority of your nutrients. Here are two staples:

Grass-Fed Beef

Grass-fed beef is a great source of B-Vitamins and minerals, low in Omega-6, absolutely delicious, and cheaper than salmon.

12 oz. = B2 – 40%, B3 – 125%, B5 – 50%, B6 – 150%, B12 – 250%, Copper – 30%, Iron – 90%, Magnesium – 20%, Phosphorus – 100%, Potassium – 20%, Selenium – 125%, Zinc – 150% (average of several cuts)

Wild Salmon

Wild Salmon is incredibly nutritious and one of the best sources of Omega-3 fats. If you’re rich you can eat it every day. Otherwise, aim for at least a lb. a week to balance your Omegas. Fish should be part of your diet, and salmon is king.

12 oz. = Omega-3 – 9g, B1 – 80%, B2 – 130%, B3 – 220%, B5 – 135%, B6 – 255%, B12 – 450%, Folate – 25%, Copper – 125%, Iron – 45%, Magnesium – 30%, Phosphorus – 130%, Potassium – 45%, Selenium – 300%, Zinc – 25%

You can substitute goat, lamb or bison for beef as long as they’re pastured/grass-fed, but they’re generally a little more expensive. Eat all the other fish you want, but eat them in addition to salmon, not in place of it – nothing beats wild salmon for nutrients and Omega-3’s.

What It’s Like to Fast

I wake up around 7, sometimes 6 or 8. Sun’s streaming through the window. I rarely wake up hungry; I’m thinking about what I’m going to do with my day, not my food.  My eating habits are completely irregular, so nothing’s ever out of the ordinary. Some days I’ll eat 2 meals, some days 3, some days 1. My first meal might be at 6 am, might come at 1 in the afternoon. Sometimes I eat big meals, sometimes I graze. All depends on my day.

I cook every day, but I love to cook; fasting doesn’t save me time in that sense, just reallocates it. In the morning I’m usually involved in work, chores, or reading, so I don’t notice anything. Around 11 I get a few grumbles, and the beginning of a sense of hunger. Right now all I’m doing is skipping breakfast, which people do every day, usually for worse reasons. Still, it’s the beginning of the only hard part of a fast.