If you could...

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10520 Location: WI, USA

...would you revert back to a 100% NGF lifestyle?

While cleaning up the garage I was thinking about Colleen's Doesn't Any One Cook Any More? thread. Thinking about the convenience factors made me wonder..."If I could, would I revert back to NGF" *Disclaimer - this assumes that CD/NCGS is not a factor*

While it may seem like a silly question with a foregone conclusion, I don't think I would turn my back on GF-dom completely. It's given me some pretty positive health benefits that I don't think I could ignore [knowing what I now know].

Despite Hasselbeck's flogging over the weight loss aspect of her book, I have to say, the GFD has allowed me to keep my weight right around the 215-220 mark for the last 6 years. Previous to that, I was 262 and rising.

It's also allowed me to go off high blood pressure meds that I had been on for 20+ years.

Overall I feel I'm pretty healthy...largely due to my lifestyle change.

So, my answer would be, Yes, but not 100%. I would probably remain gluten-lite, more than likely GF in the house, but allow myself the freedom on NGF dining out.
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2907

My gluten eating habits were largely the same as my GF habits. I never drank caffeinated beverages, didn't eat fast food, rarely if ever ate fried foods, didn't use processed foods, etc. I did eat out a significant number of meals at hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants. MY NGF diet consisted of few carbs which I now readily consume.

So, I say GF diet be gone!

Deb · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

I have no desire to eat gluten, none whatsoever. I would like to have rice and corn back, but I will survive without them. I have read enough now to know, none of us should at gltuen containing products. This has made me much more conscious of healthy eating...so no, gluten be gone!!!
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jeant · Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 266

I often tell people that the hardest thing about being GF is the lack of convenience and that the best thing about being GF is the lack of convenience. Smile

I think I would remain mostly GF because I feel like it is a healthier diet for me, but I would like the ability to be able to order anything at a restaurant and to be able to occasionally get things from a regular bakery. I might continue to eat hamburgers without buns though.

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 1327 Location: Maine

I would go back to being NGF in a heartbeat. That being said, it wouldn't change how I eat that much. I was never much of a bread eater at any point in my pre-GF life. Actually, I probably eat more bread now than before I went GF. The only breads I miss are the crusty artisan breads and sourdough. I would love to be able to eat in any restaurant without having to think about anything other than what I want to eat. I also would like to be able to eat at a family function without having to watch constantly to make sure someone doesn't CC the food.
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Steph

Home-Based-Mom · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 317 Location: California

I don't think I would change or revert all that much. However, it would be nice to attend social occasions and just eat whatever is there.
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Sandi ~ learning to live in a world obsessed and infested with wheat.
"If it wasn't food 100 years ago, it isn't food now." Mike Huckabee
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The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2907

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 10520 Location: WI, USA

STZ · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 129 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

I think I would go Gluten Lite for the convenience factor.
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STZ
DX = Celiac
High ttg 3/2009
Biopsy positive 10/2009
GF since 3/2009
DX = Osteopenia
Bone Density Test 9/2009

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 3359 Location: Washington State

I would give up the GF diet in a New York minute. I have no idea what I would to with all my free time!

But I would bring with me the awareness I have gained about food ingredients. I am a lot more mindful about what I am putting in my mouth (gluten or otherwise) since I started this journey. Don't know if I would go back to eating a lot of bread. I really don't miss is like I thought I would at first.
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-Colleen

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rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 699 Location: Chicago

I would go back for sure too- purely for the convenience factor and for travel. Otherwise it's fine.
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Rachel

caseygirl · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Baltimore

I would remain mostly gluten free (because I like naturally gluten free foods) but not worry about sauces or hidden ingredients of food not prepared by me. It would be fun to go out to eat and order something you actually want, not just the thing that is most easily converted to GF (i.e. plain fish and veggies - although I do really like fish....but still).

jsb · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Florida

I would do mostly gluten-free (and low grain) at home, but just enjoy not worrying about what to do at other people's houses, at restaurants, or while traveling. Actually, if this hypothetical situation could become reality before we go to India again to visit dh's family, that would be quite nice!
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Jen
GF since 10/07

beckyhiker · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 88 Location: New York

I agree with most others. I would remain GF at home, but would love to be able to eat elsewhere and not worry!

cardine45 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 558 Location: Kalamazoo, MI

I struggled with this for a long time, and I've decided that if I could go back to NGF, I would. I would most definitely do my best to stick with what I've learned while having to be GF though. I had a horrible diet before having to change it. I stopped at Mcdonalds far too often, and I didn't eat nearly enough fruits and veggies.

I would probably remain mostly gluten-free, especially at home, but I agree with a lot of other people who have said that it would be nice to be able to eat at a friends house or at a restaurant without worry.

I try not to think about this question much though. I figure it's not likely to happen in my lifetime, and it just makes me wish I could be "normal." Eating GF is natural at home and when I'm shopping, but eating at restaurants and friends houses is when it gets tough (albeit much easier than it used to be.)