Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, more commonly known as Hashimoto's disease. While this condition is fairly common, affecting people ranging from Gigi Hadid to Gina Rodriguez, it nevertheless came as a surprise. Consequently, I had to rethink some of my lifestyle decisions. Upon further research, I discovered that a gluten free diet is often effective in mitigating the symptoms of this condition.
Often, people have questions about how, exactly, a gluten free diet helps those living with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. According to researchers, gluten and thyroid tissue have similar protein conformations. Due to the fact that proteins and their respective substrates often have a lock-and-key relationship, it is possible that, through molecular mimicry, the immune system initiates the creation of antibodies that attack the thyroid when gluten is present in the bloodstream. Therefore, by avoiding gluten, those with Hashimoto's disease can potentially prevent the formation of antibodies that trigger thyroid complications and flare ups. For me, it is safe to say that after a year of eating gluten free, my thyroid levels have remained fairly steady.
Yes, eating gluten free serves as a challenge from time to time. Not only is it difficult for me to see my friends eating foods ranging from donuts to soy sauce, but I have also been criticized by those who hold the notion that a gluten free diet is just some new hippie trend. Nevertheless, I decided to write this blog post as a sort of guide, whether you are already gluten free or if you are considering the option for health reasons. I also hope that this serves as a helpful reminder that eating gluten free is a legitimate option for various autoimmune diseases and health complications, and criticism should not stop you from taking strides to living a happier and healthier life. Of course, it is always important to consult a professional in order to ensure that this option is right for you.
So . . . these are my fav gluten free foods:
BREAKFAST
My favorite breakfast option has been (and will always be) avocado toast. No, gluten free bread is not as good as regular bread; that's just the reality of the situation. But with enough avocado, cheese, and seasoning on top, you can have a healthy way to start you day, and perhaps you may even forget your dietary restriction for a few minutes. When I make avocado toast at home, I use Udi's Gluten Free Bread, avocado (duh), Vege-Sal Spike Natural Seasoning, and hard boiled egg.
Of course, if you are lazy (like me), my favorite places to get gluten free avocado toast are Urth Cafe, Philz Coffee, and Jan's Health Bar.
LUNCH
Before I adopted a gluten free diet, I was already eating as a pesco pollo vegetarian (no red meat). Thus, it was already a struggle for me to eat burgers, and I would always have to opt for a vegetarian option. With the inability to eat bread, this became even more difficult.
Luckily, most burger places offer lettuce wraps instead of bread, which provides an easy gluten free option. However, it is significantly more difficult to eat a burger this way, so I prefer to go to places that offer gluten free bread. Thus, I love to eat at Shake Shack, because they have veggie burgers and gluten free buns, giving you the best of both worlds. The only problem with this restaurant is that the fries are cross-contaminated, so it is important to be careful with what you order.
(P.S. I 10/10 recommend a lettuce wrapped impossible burger. Just make sure the sauces are gluten free when you order.)
DINNER
You can absolutely never go wrong with tacos. As they are often served on corn tortillas, they are usually a safe bet for gluten free eaters. As always, you should always check just in case, because there are always issues of cross contamination.
Nevertheless, tacos are both easy to make at home or order at various restaurants. For those close by, I highly recommend the veggie taco from Ola Mexican Kitchen, because it gives you that perfect blend of gluten free and vegetarian while also tasting absolutely amazing.
Anyways, I hope this post was helpful for all you gluten free people. I know this diet is difficult, but with certain autoimmune diseases and health conditions, it proves to be very beneficial (and delicious). Thanks for reading :)
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