Is Gluten Sapping your Energy?

Many of us feel tired at some point of the day, and we reach for a cup of coffee, energy bar or a snack to boost our energy. Some of the reasons why we may feel tired are a lack of sleep, stress or just simply being overworked. But if you feel especially tired after lunch or dinner, and have the need to nap, it may be because of something you are eating.

One of the most common ingredients found in food is gluten. Everyday foods like muffins, sandwiches, pasta, soups, casseroles, processed foods and desserts all may contain gluten.

Gluten is a mixture of gliadin and glutenin, proteins found in wheat, rye and barley that is not well digested in the stomach by most people and is causing a variety of symptoms such as bloating, skin rashes, depression, and fatigue.

Most people start their day with cereal or a muffin, have a sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner, and if they are gluten intolerant, they may feel tired most of the day without knowing why. Gluten, sugar, and processed food in our diet are one of the worst offenders to drain our energy.

To find out if you are gluten-intolerant, start by eliminating gluten entirely from your diet for 30 days and see how you feel. You may find that your energy increases and you will feel an all-over wellness. Being 100% gluten free is important because if you cheat even one bite, you may have a set back to where you started. And remember even spices have to be gluten-free. If you start feeling better, sleep better and have more energy then it is a good indication that you may be gluten-intolerant.

Check out our list of healthy gluten-free substitutions to replace ingredients that may contain gluten and our easy to prepare gluten free recipes to boost your energy!

One of our most popular recipes is this easy to make gluten-free brown rice salad