Yes, You Look Pregnant….But You’re NOT!
Letting it all hang out – this is what my tummy looks like after eating gluten daily for 2 weeks! 16% body fat. SAME weight. NOT pregnant!
Yes, You Look Pregnant….But You’re NOT!
That’s because you are eating something that you are sensitive and/or allergic too. For me it’s gluten. Oh bread how I love thee. And how I loath how you make me look and feel! Hey everyone thinks gluten is evil and it’s not….at least it’s not evil for everyone. But it is for me. And if you feel you look pregnant (but you’re not), then it might be evil for you too. Want PROOF?
Doesn’t it seem like EVERYONE you know is on a gluten-free diet of some sort? For the last couple of years, I’ve been one of the many in the masses who has also avoided gluten. Until recently…..
Because hubby and kids and I are all going to Paris! And I’m uber prepared! Our dog will hang out with our house-sitter. We’ve purchased extra warm clothing in preparation for the trip. We even have plans to meet up with friends while we are there. Heck, I even hired a photographer to take family photos of us….but shhhhhh! Don’t tell the kids. You’d think the world’s biggest torturing device was a photographer armed with a camera while taking family photos! Anyhow, I’ve planned, prepped and prepared for everything…except what to eat. Seriously, is there anything gluten-free in Europe that is easy for tourists to find?? I’m so screwed.
So hubby suggested slowly introducing gluten into my daily diet because you have to prepare your digestion for it. No one wants the gassy Americans literally stinking up the beautiful streets of Paris, right?! So to adjust to gluten, just eat a little bit every day.
After almost 2 weeks of gluten every day, THIS is what happened:
You’re grumpy – talk about mood swings…..sheesh! And it had nothing to do with sugar, because I didn’t have any.
You look pregnant – for real. Check out the photos to see what I mean
You weigh THE SAME! – But you look 10-15 pounds heavier!
Was this all in my head? Hey, I’m not perfect and I’m certainly willing to admit when I’m being a little dramatic. But wouldn’t it be fun if you had proof that you’re NOT crazy
Sucking it in as far as humanly possible. Yep, still look pregnant. But it’s just gluten!
AND you’re not being dramatic? So I asked my personal trainer Scott Keppel, from STS to check my measurements and compare them to my measurements from 2 weeks earlier. The results were pretty dramatic!
Weight = SAME
Body Fat = SAME
Waist (at natural waist-line) = 2″ INCREASE
Waist (at belly button) = 2 1/2″ INCREASE
Glutes, upper thigh, mid-thigh = ALL the SAME
But to gain almost 5 inches….in TWO weeks? That’s just crazy! Even sucking it in so hard breathing was no longer an option…still made me look pregnant!
Are you sensitive to gluten? Or do you think you could be? Take your measurements. Then try eliminating it for 2 weeks. See what happens. Share your results below. I guarantee you, you are not alone if you find similar results.
December 4, 2013 @
Hi Kirin! Thank you so much for sharing this. I don’t know if I would’ve believed that your tiny frame could look this bloated just from gluten, if I hadn’t seen the photo-evidence. I also have issues with (and have to eliminate) gluten, eggs, soy, corn, dairy and oats…and it’s a challenge to deal with people who think the way I eat is just a fad diet. Thanks for proving this issue IS real for many of us! Btw, even with a little tummy you are still gorgeous! Enjoy the European vacation my dear.
P.s. Good news is my naturopath says often those of us with gluten problems are actually reacting to the added levels of gluten in American wheat. Your reaction may not be as severe in Europe.
December 5, 2013 @
Yes, you are not alone Deborah! Hoping that you are right about the American gluten vs. European breads! I’ve heard the same thing but still wanted to prepare.
Thanks for your comment!
December 5, 2013 @
Hi Kirin,
I can’t believe that gluten has that sort of effect on you (you still look amazing by the way).
I just wanted to add a comment about the feeling frumpy, and when you feel that way you continue to eat all those snacks or foods that just don’t do us justice. Well, I just went through that. I was feeling down and frumpy and eating very unhealthy because, hey, I already feel gross, what’s another snack going to do? Wrong! I started hitting the gym harder this week and eating better and I feel a million times better than I did last week. It’s amazing how a little gym time and some healthy food can turn my mood around and make me look at myself differently.
Thank you for sharing all your tips and wisdom with us. I really enjoy reading about what you find works and doesn’t work.
Have fun in Paris! I would LOVE to see pics when you get back.
Hugs!
December 5, 2013 @
So true Tammy! Gym time always makes you feel better long term. So glad you found a way to feel fabulous again. Hey, we all feel frumpy from time to time. You found the smart way to break out of your funk. You glow girl!
December 10, 2013 @
Wow!!! This was a GREAT post! Thanks for sharing, Kirin!
December 10, 2013 @
Thank you Tamika! I was totally shocked by the results! Hope you are well! xoxo
December 11, 2013 @
Um, there’s LOTS of foods to eat gluten free in Paris. I know several people who have done it. All it takes is a little research. I don’t have the option of ingesting gluten, it makes me violently ill almost immediately. And eating gluten when you have a true intolerance can raise your risk of lymphoma, as well as cause all kinds of other health issues such as nutritional deficiencies It might be better to research where you CAN eat for two weeks, instead of trying to build up a tolerance to something that makes you sick. There are entire bakeries dedicated to gluten free items in Paris, and lots of the restaurants cook from scratch. The national Celiac society even has cards that you can guy to provide to waiters, which explain your intolerance in French. This suggestion of exposure is a very bad idea for people who encounter additional reactions, besides bloating and foul moods
December 11, 2013 @
Good to know Drea!
And IF someone become violently ill due to gluten like you do, then YES, that would be bad advice. Thankfully I personally only have a sensitivity (not even a full blown allergy) to gluten.
And thankfully most of Europe has strict laws that bread (for example) cannot have preservatives. In France, bread is legally allowed only 5 ingredients, or so I’ve heard. It’s very common to hear of individuals who have gluten allergies or sensitivities in the United States have no digestive troubles with gluten in Europe (not the full blown celiac you have…..gosh, that’s a whole other ball game!). Makes you wonder why some ingredients are legal in the USA are outlawed in Europe.
With the children it will be more enjoyable of a trip for me for eat what is available (but still primarily gluten free) and close by where-ever we are, rather than planning the meals around specific places I can eat. Again, this would be a different conversation entirely IF an ingredient sends you to the hospital. Thankfully that’s not the case for me personally.
Warmest thanks for sharing information on how to travel with celiacs Drea! Great info for the readers who do have that concern. And I’ll totally check out the gluten free bakeries because I’m dying to have some French pastries!! Thanks!
Paris Style – Winter | Red Haute Mama
January 21, 2014 @
[…] So the best part of any trip is coming home….unless you are leaving Paris. Seriously,it’s a magical city it! The food is the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten in your life and the bread has magical powers…..it DOESN’T make you look pregnant like American bread does (Read all about discovering THAT fun secret HERE). […]